A journey within

[Prolog the gift of inner site]

Ranma sat by the koi pond looking up at a sky. However, the sky did not 
show stars or a beautiful sun but indescribable chaos of colors. This place 
was not the Tendo dojo but a copy created by Ranma's mind. Just a few hours 
ago is mother had decreed that he was to learn how to be a girl. Needless 
to say, Ranma was not happy camper. As he sat there, looking at his mind's 
eye koi pond the events that cursed him played themselves out. 

"Stupid pop" Ranma muttered before seeing 'Ranko' walk up to him.

Ranma knew that this girl was not the spirit of the girl that had drowned 
in the spring but a reflection of himself. Ranko never spoke and she had 
eerie robotic air around her. After she sat down by the koi pond, she 
looked vulnerable, afraid, and sad.

A few moments later a slightly more muscular version of him self sat down 
on the opposite side of the koi pond. This macho version of him self 
spouted continuously. However, Ranma knew the doppelganger was a load of 
hot air.

Signing Ranma left the two to enter the tearoom.

"I wish I knew what this dream was about."

"It's about you," an unknown voice said before a woman that bore a 
remarkable resemblance to Akane appeared on the other side of the table.

"Mrs. Tendo?" Ranma asked as he remembered the face from the Tendo family 
photo album.

"Yes, and no Ranma I'm not a fitment of your imagination I am the real Mrs. 
Tendo," the woman said with a smile as she produced a cup of tea from 
nowhere.

"You're the one that's been talking to me ever since I got cursed aren't 
you" Ranma asked suspiciously.

"Yes I am and you may call me Hishizuka."

"You have something to do with the springs don't you."

"No Ranma I have everything to do with them it's my fault that they are 
cursed," Hishizuka replied.

"You!!"

"Yes I have been watching you and now since you have gained enough power on 
your own I can help you."

"A cure?"

"No you know for a fact that you can't get rid of the other body. I can 
help you with other things."

"...and what about you."

"I am dead Ranma ... and I'll probably say that way for awhile."

"So what first?"

"I'll give you the gift of inner site," Hishizuka said before raising her 
hand, which briefly glowed. "Now you can go anywhere within your self."

"Ok how do I do it?"

"See those doppelgangers of your self," Hishizuka said while motioning to 
the koi pond.

"Yeah."

"Those represent aspects of your personality. They don't carry around 
nametags so you don't know what part of your personality they are until you 
go inside of them. I can help you Ranma but only as a guide and some places 
that not even I can go."

"So how many of them are there out there," Ranma asked.

"One for each facet of who you are."

"Ok this is a challenge right."

"Of sorts," Hishizuka said before rising.

"Him first," Ranma said as he pointed to his macho doppelganger.

[Superego]

Ranma and Hishizuka appeared in front of a massive library.

"I guess we go in," Ranma said before two entered.

As the two entered the library, they found rows and rows books.

"What is this place?"

"Off hand I'd say your superego or your knowledge base and considering the 
size of this place I'd say it's more likely your superego."

"I'm guessing that superego does not mean a ki charged ego."

"No this is where all of your moral standards and social conceptions are 
stored ... its way too big if you ask me."

"I guess we should get out the paper shredder then."

"I'll find the shredder you go look through the stacks," Hishizuka said 
before Ranma nodded and walked off.

**************

Much later, we find Hishizuka sitting at a large oak desk while in enormous 
paper shredder sat nearby.

"Damm where in the world did you get that," Ranma said as he arrived with a 
large cart of books.

"Just found it laying around," Hishizuka replied nonchalantly before Ranma 
sat down.

"This is going too take a long time," Ranma said as he looked around.

"Don't worry while using the gift of inner site every minute in the real 
world equals 1 year in here," Hishizuka responded. "Well I've got to be 
going this is something you should do by yourself," Hishizuka added. "oh 
and for your information you have 525,600 years to go through this library 
and decide what you want to shred so take all the time you need," Hishizuka 
said before vanishing.

"It will probably take me that long," Ranma said with a heavy sigh before 
getting started.

[Growing up a small bit]

Ranma awoke around 6:30 am and walked downstairs and into the kitchen where 
he found Kasumi but as soon as the elder Tendo sister got a good glimpse of 
Ranma, she backed away.

"Ranma?? Are you ok ... you look hmm..."

"Older" Ranma replied in a voice of quiet power making Kasumi back off 
momentarily.

"Is this about your mother's decision?"

"... No I just did some serious housekeeping in between the ear's last 
night," Ranma said as he tapped his head with one finger.

"Your ki has changed ... dramatically."

"Like I said Kasumi I did some serious housekeeping," Ranma said while 
emphasizing serious before summoning his usual confidence "is this better," 
Ranma said as he sat down.

"For the moment," Kasumi said as she calmed her heart. "So do you want to 
talk about your mother's decision?"

"Yeah," Ranma replied while sounding nervous. "I threw away a most of the 
sexist stuff my dad spouted but I'm still got one problem."

"What," Kasumi asked while sensing Ranma would not replied in his usual way.

"What is right? What right do I have to be a girl," Ranma said as he looked 
out the kitchen window.

"Right? What do you mean Ranma?" Kasumi asked while sounding genuinely 
confused.

"I'm sure you heard of the principles of yin and yang and you probably know 
more about them than I do but even before I threw away all of my father's 
crazy ideas I've felt. well deep down I guess I felt like I cheated the 
principle of yin and yang. Sure even the most manly men have yin but the 
Yin of a man not of a woman ... not to mention my female body isn't really 
right."

"Hun?"

"Have you ever taken a really good look at it I figure it's the body of a 
13 year-old girl 14 at the most," Ranma said. "That's why so it's short and 
weak."

"Oh my! Oh that does make a lot of sense I've often thought that body 
didn't suit you but I could never my finger on why," Kasumi said while 
sounding odd. "Oh my if you're right ...oh this explains just about 
everything."

"Hun?"

"If you're female body is really as young as 13 it would most certainly 
keep you from ever gaining true balance between your yin and yang. The yin 
of your female body right now is in direct conflict with the yin of your 
spirit because your spirit is so much older."

"...and that's why I constantly feel like I'm losing myself not because of 
more yin but because what yin I have can't fully reach my female body 
because my spirit's yin is older," Ranma said thoughtfully.

"If this is the case learning how to be a woman right now would be next to 
useless since your body hasn't reached that level of physical maturity," 
Nodoka said from the doorway to the kitchen. "I should have known that 
but ... it's because your spirit already has so much femininity that it 
blocks what is coming from your body..."

"Mom? Why," Ranma asked.

"Over the past month I have come to accept that while you are a truly manly 
man but that you also and always have had the energy of a woman within you. 
That's why I made Genma make the promise I did as sexist as he is I thought 
for certain he could drive that energy out you."

"But why?"

"The Saotome clan has cursed by many who do not know if they are male or 
female ... or even lesbian and gay. I saw my poor father move back and 
forth as well as my sister and brother. They never could find peace. They 
never could find out, which they were. My brother committed suicide because 
of the madness and my sister did the same just recently and my poor 
father ... well at least mother was liberal about sex or else he would have 
gone insane," the Saotome matriarch said doing more than just shock Ranma. 
"Over the past months I have seen you fight against what is obviously a 
part of you and I hoped by teaching you how to be a girl that the insanity 
would never have a chance claim you. The curse of the springs may in fact 
be a blessing to our clan. If you can truly become both the curse may be 
broken forever and no Saotome in the future will have to suffer not 
knowing," Nodoka continued sadly, as she sat down.

This revelation about his family history sent Ranma's mind on a trip 
through lulu land for a moment.

"The balance will be restored," Kasumi said absently to which Ranma nodded 
before sitting down on the kitchen floor. After which he started to glow at 
first his aura was a pale pastel blue then a pale pastel pink started to 
flow through his aura but strangely the two colors did not mix and after 
about 5 minutes, there was an equal balance between the two colors.

"It feels strange it's so calming to bring them both to the surface," Ranma 
said as the energies continued to swirl around him.

"Male and female ki."

"Yes I'm keeping them separate and I'm not suppressing my female ki at 
all," Ranma replied before allowing the two energies to mix after which the 
aura fades. "I guess I could never have lost myself to something that I 
already am the body just gave me an outlet," Ranma said while sounding 
somewhat ashamed.

"Son you sti..."

"No not until I find a way to make my female body fit my soul until then 
it's as pointless as talking to a certain panda about women's rights," 
Ranma said. "...but by the same token I won't hide from the fact either," 
Ranma said before developing in interesting look in his eye. "Now both of 
you out of here I'm going to make breakfast this morning."

The two motherly figures of the Tendo dojo took a subconscious step back 
even though they were both sitting down. They had both sensed the unusual 
mix both feminine energy and Ranma's usual male energy that Ranma had just 
released as expected the two beat a hasty retreat.

Of course, that didn't stop them from looking back in.

"Wow look at him go," Nabiki said as she joined the two sometime later.

"Agreed," Kasumi, replied as Ranma moved around at speeds that even she 
found amazing for someone working in the kitchen.

"So is this part of the training?" the Tendo patriarch said as he joined 
the group.

"No we came to a compromise for the time being," Nodoka said distractedly 
as she continued to watch her son.

"Hmm the boy must be using a modification on basic super speed," Genma 
added as he entered the kitchen to steal some food the response that was 
given was one that one would expect from Akane.

The mallet and the boot into low earth orbit.

Unfazed by the brief interruption Ranma continued his work and by the time 
Akane arrived the show was over and everyone had gathered in the tearoom.

Blinking a few times Akane examined the seen before her.

Genma was rubbing his head, nothing unusual Ranma must've punted him into 
orbit.

Her father was reading the paper, again nothing unusual.

Nabiki was sorting through a few pictures of Ranma-chan, again nothing 
unusual.

Nodoka was looking distant, hmm somewhat odd.

Kasumi was ... well was present and breakfast was not on the table ...ok 
now that IS odd.

...and Ranma ...and Ranma is?

"Breakfasts ready," Ranma said as he entered with several serving plates.

"Mhh this smells absolutely wonderful Ranma," Kasumi said as she inhaled 
deeply.

"Thanks it's my own recipe," Ranma said with complete nonchalantness.

By this time, Akane's brain had managed to figure out who had cooked 
breakfast. Of course, said organ still didn't believe it. it would have at 
least considered it if Ranma was short and a redhead but at the moment 
Ranma was neither and because of this Akane's usual reaction -- namely 
yelling at Ranma or showing up her cooking ability -- was completely short 
circuited and so Akane just sat down and ate.

Of course, by the end of the meal, Akane's brain had recovered enough to 
call Ranma Ranko but the reaction Ranma gave was to look sideways at Akane 
before calling her a female chauvinist and sexist.

The replied that was given by Akane was to look as though she had been shot 
by a barrage of ki blasts.

Ranma expected her to recover and immediately start an argument however; 
Akane just started to look sick and ran off.

Biting his lip Ranma looked towards the stairs. He had just grossly under 
calculated the power and caliber of his words. However when he looked down 
at the rest of the Tendo family their eyes were wide from shock after all 
the Ultra macho Ranma Saotome had just said the one thing that the rest of 
the Tendo family was afraid too.

Predictably, at this time Genma spouts off about Ranma's words but is 
quickly disposed of by Nabiki and Kasumi after which Soun speaks calmly, "I 
must say Ranma that was most  ...hmm surprising," before leaving obviously 
had a loss for more than words.

"Damm Ranma what kind of housekeeping did you doing your head last night 
slash and burn," Nabiki almost screamed.

"No a 100 years of careful thought," Ranma replied before starting to 
gather the dishes after which he walks back off to the kitchen.

***********

About an hour later, we find Akane curled up in a tight ball shaking as she 
cries. Her self-pity was interrupted however by someone who raped their 
arms around her. Immediately sensing that it was Ranma, Akane relaxes in 
his arms.

"I'm sorry Ranma I have been sexist towards you," Akane said in a quiet 
voice.

"Hay I haven't exactly been perfect either you know," Ranma replied as he 
rubbed Akane's back.

"How can I make it up to you?" Akane said in a quiet squeak of a voice.

"I have a suggestion," Nodoka said from the doorway. "Kasumi recently told 
me of something shampoo tried to use against Ranma called instant 
nannichuan and if you really want to learn what men are really like what 
better way than to experience it for your self."

This suggestion has Ranma checking his mother for a fever in less than a 
second finding none he gives her a more quizzical look than usual.

Nodoka only smiled before replying, "I may spout about tradition and how 
manly you are son but I am by no means a traditional Japanese housewife. 
The traditions of the Saotome clan are quite liberal even by modern 
standards even though they are quite old."

The only replying Ranma gave was to blink before realizing something 
however, Akane beat him to the punch in saying it, "irimuko."

"Correct Akane, Genma did take my clan name when he married me," Nodoka 
replied before looking at her son. "there is much about your clan that you 
do not know of," Nodoka said before turning back to Akane who was already 
obviously contemplating Nodoka's suggestion however Akane quickly develops 
a troubled look on her face. "It is only a suggestion Akane."

"No it's not that it's just well. As big of a tomboy as I am, I'm not sure 
that doing this would be such a good idea. Well to paraphrase Ranma 'I'm a 
GIRL'," Akane said thoughtfully before Ranma sat down next to her.

"Akane do you know how to focus your ki."

"No not really, when I do it's not like I have any control over it," Akane 
admitted while sounding extremely embarrassed.

"Ok then I think you should do this just this once ... don't ask me why 
right now just trust me," Ranma said peaking Akane's curiosity.

"Ok but I'll need to borrow one of your usual outfits," Akane replied 
before leaving.

"Son?" Nodoka asked curiously.

"Akane doesn't know it but she has a great deal of masculine ki."

"How much," Nodoka asked in a somewhat worried tone.

"As much as I do as far as the balance between male and female."

"Oh I see," Nodoka said while suddenly deciding that her suggestion may not 
have been the best thing.

***************

About five minutes later, we find Akane who is now dressed in one of Ranma 
standard outfits sitting in the tearoom with the rest of her family.

However, the reactions of the Tendo family were not what one would expect.

Nabiki did not have a camera was uncharacteristically solemn.

Soun was not smoking or crying at Tsunami force.

Kasumi had a very un-Kasumi like smile on her face.

...and Akane well her mood was the only one that was predictable. She was 
nervous as all hell.

Then Ranma entered with a small packet and a bucket of water.

That's when Akane started sweating which only increased as Ranma poured the 
contents of the packet into the bucket before stirring it thoroughly and 
with every clank of the large wooden spoon against the metal bucket Akane 
winced.

Then panic overcame the dark blue haired tomboy and she ran for the closest 
exit but she only got as far as the koi pond before a torrent of cold water 
hit her.

Time seemed to slow down as the transformation occurred but the 
transformation was not what Akane had expected. First, it felt like she had 
two bodies. Then one of the two bodies began to shift and change shape 
rendering that body male. After that, her female body felt like it was 
transported into a void and that was the end of the transformation.

Slowly the now Akane male turned to the koi pond to find his reflection a 
reflection of a light brown haired boy only slightly taller then her female 
form. In addition, this new body was as well built as Ranma. Strangely 
enough, Akane could still feel her female body floating in the void but 
only if she concentrated very hard on it.

The next thing Akane did was to sit down quietly and just get use to the 
feeling of the male body.

"Is she ok," Nabiki asked to which Ranma only nodded before walking off and 
returning a few moments later with a towel, which he handed to Akane-kun as 
he sat down.

The only response Akane-kun gave was to use the towel nervously.

"You ok," Ranma asked.

Akane-kun only nodded uncertainly before walking off.

Ranma's only reply to this was to turn his attention towards the koi pond 
before holding up three fingers which he used to count down to 0. Once the 
zero had been reached, a piercing scream was heard. "Well Akane took that 
better than I thought she would," Ranma commented absently.

Nabiki unusually jumped off and ran off with the obvious intend of helping 
her currently male sister.

*************************

When Nabiki found Akane-kun, he was hyperventilating on the floor of his 
room looking rather scared.

"Are you ok," Nabiki asked while sounding very concerned.

Akane-kun's immediate response was to shake his head vigorously.

Nabiki's reply to this was to start to turn around and leave with the 
intention of getting some hot water however when she did turn around she 
found Ranma who walked over to Akane-kun. Akane-kun's only response to this 
was to glom onto Ranma. Ranma's reply to that was to return the hug as he 
made a soothing noise while repeating 'it'll be okay Akane,' over and over 
again. Nabiki who was watching this slack-jawed marveled at how quickly 
Akane-kun fell asleep in Ranma's arms and once Akane-kun was asleep Ranma 
placed him on his bed before sitting down on Akane-kun's desk chair was 
next to his bed. Nabiki who had managed to recover from what she had just 
seen made the mental comment of, 'he really does love her.'

An hour later, when Kasumi brought a tray of snacks she found Ranma asleep 
by Akane's bedside. Kasumi's only reply to that was to smile before leaving.

[Emotions]

Ranma found himself by his mind's eye koi pond scratching his head he began 
to look around for Hishizuka who he found on the roof of the dojo looking 
out upon sea of chaos beyond the mental dojo.

"Anything wrong," Ranma asked while noting the off look on Hishizuka's face.

"Yes there is Ranma however I'm not quite sure what exactly is wrong," the 
ancient Magi said as she looked out upon the sea of chaos that was Ranma's 
mind.

"Anything I can do," Ranma asked.

"No, at the moment continue on with putting yourself back together," 
Hishizuka said to which Ranma only nodded before hopping off the roof and 
vanishing into a very emotional version of himself. "Hmm there is some 
thing deftly wrong here I am sensing two very distinct but yet extremely 
similar ki signatures," Hishizuka commented before vanishing.

*******************

Ranma found himself looking out upon a vast open plain, which he somehow 
knew should be filled with life and activity however, the plain before him 
was dead.

"Well I've heard of being emotionally void but this is ridiculous," 
Hishizuka commented as she walked up behind Ranma.

"So what do I have to do here," Ranma asked.

"Well finding your emotions wouldn't be a bad place to start," Hishizuka 
said before starting to walk along.

Shrugging his shoulders Ranma followed while using his ki to sense 
everything around him. A couple of hours later the two came across 
something that Ranma had a difficult time describing.

"Looks sort of like a mutant dragon that got run over by a nasty bio 
spell," Hishizuka commented as she gave the odd-looking creature a dog-
headed-tilt.

"What is it," Ranma asked.

"Probably a guardian; things usually this ugly are," Hishizuka responded 
calmly.

"So what's it guarding," Ranma asked while trying to look at what was 
behind the questionable dragon.

"SCAN" Hishizuka stated before an odd-looking visor made completely of 
energy appeared over her eyes, "emotional guardian alpha non elemental 
immune against poisons darkness yata yata yata."

"In other words one tough cookie," Ranma replied.

"Well as far is you're concerned it is but I could kill it with a wave of 
my hand however the collateral damage would be severe," Hishizuka replied 
before smiling, "however it does have one weakness."

"Which is?"

"It's a zombie monster," Hishizuka commented before pulling out a large 
fiery looking feather which she through like a dart straight at the dragon, 
which vanished in a puff of smoke.

"..." was Ranma's only comment considering he was looking forward to the 
fight Hishizuka had just ended by throwing a feather. However, Ranma knew 
that fighting monsters was not what he was there to do and so examined the 
dragon's den to find a chest, which he opened to find a jewel of some sort. 
"What the heck is this," Ranma asked.

Looking at the red jem Ranma was now holding Hishizuka said, "A blood 
diamond. It represents 'red' emotions like love and anger."

"Hmm so what do I do with it," Ranma asked.

"Well I suggest you go find the other gemstones that represent your 
obviously sealed emotions and once you have them all we'll go from there," 
Hishizuka said before starting to walk off. "In the meantime I just sensed 
something in your mind that shouldn't be here so I'm going to go 
investigate while you pound monsters so you can get the gemstones of your 
emotions," Hishizuka added before vanishing.

Looking at the diamond that was definitely the color a blood Ranma only 
nodded before trying to find the next gem guardian.

******************

Meanwhile in Ranma's outer mind Hishizuka stares as the horizon.

"There's someone else here in Ranma's mind someone that isn't supposed to 
exist. As Ranma puts himself back together his ki moves farther and farther 
out of sync with whomever else is here," Hishizuka said before sitting down 
and waiting for Ranma to find another emotional gemstone, which would allow 
her to triangulate the position of whoever else was in Ranma's mind. This 
also gave the ancient Magi time to think about whom else could be in 
Ranma's mind. "The spirit of the girl the drowned in the spring of the 
drowned girl; No the springs don't have enough power to hold a soul within 
them. The spirit of the twin that was aborted naturally, no that's rarer 
than seeing a Cactuar in the middle of the mystic rain forest back home in 
Avalon. Hmm ... could it be a Water Sprite spirit; by the Ancients, there's 
enough hanging around the springs for one to be responsible for that to 
happen. The only problem with that is Water Sprites aren't usually 
malicious enough to possess someone --mischievous to a fault yes but not 
malicious enough to possess someone-- ... on purpose that is. Hmm but if a 
water sprite happened to have been in the spring it might have been sucked 
into Ranma's mind. Hmm Water Sprites aren't all that intelligent and have a 
marginal amount of sentientness. I wonder could Ranma be -- not consciously 
of course -- giving this water Sprite a full-blown spirit ... hmm most 
interesting most interesting indeed."

******************

Meanwhile back in Ranma's inner mind we find the pigtailed martial artist 
battling what could be best described as a T-rex skeleton that had advanced 
robotic parts attached to it. The short list of the parts on the monster 
was the duel missile launchers, laser canon, and huge rocket boosters that 
looked like they were taken straight off a very advanced and large mobile 
suit. Needless to say, Ranma was not in a good mood.

"Damm where is Unit-zero's duel beam canon when you need it," Ranma 
commented as he dodged a few more missiles.

Ranma's query was answered, as said device appeared in his path of course 
it was bigger than the Tendo dojo so Ranma had to run around it.

"Damn how am I supposed to use something that big," Ranma screamed to no 
one in particular before mentally wishing the double-barreled beam canon 
were a usable size. That apparently was all that was necessary for said 
object to shrink to the appropriate size. Ranma's response was an emphatic 
'hell yeah' as he ran straight for the gun which was still quite large. 
After snatching the gun, Ranma turned around and pulled the trigger and 
after three seconds of charging the beam canon fired completely vaporizing 
the monster's T. Rex to which Ranma commented, "I don't usually like 
weapons but I'll make an exception for this one." 

After holstering the weapon, Ranma collected another emotion jewel.

********************

While back in Ranma's outer mind, Hishizuka only smiled before starting to 
meditate only exact location off the water Sprite spirit. After finding 
said spirit, Hishizuka levitated off the roof of the dojo and shot off into 
the sky of Ranma's mind.

When she came to a stop, she found a young girl that looked at identical to 
Ranma's female form inside of a bubble quite naked and curled up in a fetal 
position.

"Why look, if isn't Ranko," Hishizuka commented sarcastically before 
turning around and using her magic to drag Ranko along with her as she 
rocketed back to Ranma's minds eye dojo.

Once there she scanned the young girl with her most powerful scanning spell 
and found that she indeed was at one time a water Sprite of the variety 
that usually inhabited the area around the cursed springs but due to her 
exposure to Ranma's powerful ki she had become a complete spirit.

"Well it looks as if Ranma has a sister now," Hishizuka commented somewhat 
dryly as she began to watch the sleeping red head that was still incased in 
a bubble.

********************

Ranma on the other hand had just found a third emotion jewel.

"Well I've got a red and green and a blue emotion jewel but what am I 
suppose to do I with them now that I have them," Ranma asked no one in 
particular as he toyed with the three gems.

After a moment, however the pigtailed martial artists sat down on the 
ground and thought about what the gems represented.

"Now each one of these gems represents a set of emotions and all of the 
gems were guarded by ferocious beasts. Hmm, pop always taught me to guard 
my emotions so carefully that no one could read them. Hay maybe I guarded 
them so well I couldn't even read them myself and maybe because they been 
under such heavy guard is why there so hard. After all, all three of these 
gems are a kind of diamond. So I guess if I want to express my emotions, I 
have to break each gym," were Ranma's thoughts before pulling out the beam 
canon he had used to defeat the monstrous guardians of his mind. "Well that 
shouldn't be a problem with this beam Canon," Ranma said with a smirk 
before firing however when the plasma and debris cleared the gems were 
unharmed this of course left Ranma with a 'you have got to be kidding' look 
on his face. "Ok it's obvious I can't blast them open," Ranma commented 
dryly before trying to scratch the one of the gems by using the sharp point 
on another with absolutely no success. Ranma's comment to that was an 
angered scowl before launching off several of his own energy blasts none of 
which did anything to the gems. "Damn these are some tough diamonds," Ranma 
commented as he picked up the three stones, which had sustained absolutely 
no damage. "Well looks like force isn't going to crack these," Ranma added 
before pocketing the stones and continuing to walk.

An hour or so later Ranma came across a pedestal with three gemstone-shaped 
recesses in it. Ranma's reply to this was a raised eyebrow as he saw each 
one of the slots was color-coded.

"You have got to be kidding," Ranma, commented dryly before placing the 
stones in the recesses after which the three stones melted into the 
pedestal, which then vanished in a flash of multicolored light after the 
light faded Ranma found the planes around him blossoming with wildflowers 
of all colors. Smiling to himself Ranma just shook his head before willing 
himself back to his minds eye dojo.

**************

Hishizuka absolutely studied Ranko noting that the girl was sleeping so 
deeply it was as if she had never been awake at all when Ranma appeared and 
immediately bellowed "who the hell is that!!"

"She was a water Sprite at one time but through an odd coincidence she was 
in the spring at the same time you fell in to it and she has been with you 
ever sense. Sleeping just as she is now ... and before you ask no she has 
not influenced you in the least -- well except for making you will water 
magnet after all water Sprites do love water," Hishizuka explained before 
continuing, "in fact Ranma you're immensely powerful ki has caused her to 
change from a simple water Sprite into a real person and all she needs to 
awaken is a body of her own."

"Well she can have my female one as far as I'm concerned," Ranma said 
indignantly.

The only reply Hishizuka gave was a slight giggle, "sorry Ranma you can't 
get rid of your female body like that. It is tuned to your spirit and your 
spirit alone. Ranko here is a spirit of her own and therefore needs a body 
of her own."

Ranma's reply to that was an annoyed sideways glance.

After a moment however, Ranma asked, "so what do we do about her?"

"Nothing at the moment I could give her a new body if I was alive myself 
but I'm not so I can't," Hishizuka explained.

Scratching his head Ranma queried, "So how do get alive again?"

"Either a gargantuan amount of energy or a vile of phoenix blood," 
Hishizuka answered.

"Well I've got lots of energy I could channel some to you," Ranma offered.

"Ranma you don't have enough energy to help me and since I'm dead I can't 
hold energy given to me by someone else," Hishizuka replied.

"And I'm guessing the phoenix blood is something you can't get real easy 
either," Ranma asked rhetorically to which Hishizuka only nodded as a reply. 
"Damn ...well I got to go but I'll try to think of something to help," 
Ranma added before willing himself to wake up.

[The rebirth of a living spirit]

As Ranma awoke, he found himself still sitting at Akane-kun's side. Ranma's 
only response to this was to smile and frown at the same time before 
leaning back and noticing the tray of food Kasumi had brought. That of 
course really made Ranma smile and if the food on the tray had been able to 
express emotions it would be as scared as a mouse looking at a smiling T-
Rex.

********************

An hour or so later Kasumi walked into Akane's room to find Ranma absently 
humming.

"Ranma?" Kasumi asked while sensing that Ranma's ki had changed 
dramatically once again.

"Hi Kasumi," Ranma said as Kasumi put down another tray of snacks before 
composing herself.

"More housekeeping," Kasumi asked while looking a bit nervous to which 
Ranma only nodded before looking over at Akane-Kun who had just began to 
stir.

"Have a good nap sleepy head," Ranma said with a smirk.

Akane-kun's only reply was to check him self. Finding that he was still 
male Akane-kun sat up and took a few deep breaths.

"You ok," Kasumi asked.

"Yeah I guess so," Akane-Kun said uncertainly before setting up and 
excepting some food from Ranma.

"So why did you scream earlier," Kasumi asked.

"Shock I guess. It was just so overwhelming and I just couldn't take it," 
Akane-kun replied. 

"Almost the same thing happened to me when I first got cursed," Ranma said 
surprising both Kasumi and Akane-kun.

"I'm going to go take a walk," Akane-Kun said before getting up and walking 
off.

"Is she going to be okay," Nabiki asked from the floor where she had been 
watching everything silently sense Akane-kun had fallen asleep.

"Yeah she just needs sometime alone," Ranma, answered before walking off 
followed shortly by Kasumi.

'For your sake Ranma I hope you're right,' Nabiki thought with an angry 
glare.

***************

Late that day Ranma finds Akane-kun under his favorite bridge. 

"You okay," Ranma asked.

Looking off into the distance Akane-kun shrugged his shoulders before 
answering, "I don't really know Ranma I don't really know. I don't hate 
it ... but I don't know if I like it either."

Ranma's only reply was a quiet nod of the head. However before he could 
speak Akane-kun's form blurred and seemed to shatter into a million shards 
of energy this left Akane behind to shed a silent tear as she reached for 
one of the shards only to have it vanish in her hand.

"I guess that's that," Akane mumbled while looking oddly sad.

"So what did you do today," Ranma asked as Akane leaned against him.

"I just walked around," Akane replied while looking distant before deciding 
Ranma's shoulder was a good place to take a nap. 

Ranma's only reply to this was to smile sweetly before picking up Akane and 
carrying her back to the dojo where he was able to put Akane in her bed 
without anyone noticing except for Akane who was most insistent that he 
stayed with her. The form this insistences took was the fact Akane had her 
arms wrapped around Ranma in a vice grip like hold that would have put 
Shampoo to shame and a quiet whisper into Ranma's ear. The whisper, which 
was the two simple words 'please stay', was all that was necessary for 
Ranma to do just that.

*****************

Meanwhile in the depths of Ranma's mind Hishizuka observers Ranko.

"A Water Sprite; some of the most mischievous spirits ever have been Water 
Sprites. Also, some of the kindest have been water sprites. Its strange in 
a way Ranma's spirit is much the same however; his has been a hardened by 
his father's training. Hardened into temper steel but yet his spirit was 
still a warm and safe enough place to nurture the spirit of a water Sprite 
into a full-blown person." Hishizuka said before looking off at Ranma's 
mental sky "The sword is as solid as adamant sharp as diamonds but yet the 
sheath is made of the softest velvet and hung around the Warriors back with 
a band of the highest quality spider's silk. While warrior himself is as 
kind and gentle as a mother is with her newborn baby. Yet all that know the 
warrior know the sword and what it represents And for of those that do not 
know the warrior let me say this the warrior maybe kind and slow to anger 
quick to forgive but know this once the sword has been drawn the warrior 
will not lose."

With that said Hishizuka turns her gaze to Ranko and smiles.

"Perhaps just perhaps he will find a way," Hishizuka said before yawning 
and deciding to take a nap herself.

***************

Back in Akane's room, however Ranma just holds a sleeping Akane in his arms. 
Smiling warmly Ranma decided he was enjoying himself thoroughly when Nabiki 
entered however before she could say anything Ranma put a finger over his 
mouth quiet in a quieting motion.

Nabiki for her part noticed how contented her sister looked sleeping on 
Ranma's lap and couldn't help but smile. Ranma however never noticed this 
as he was looking at Akane while running a hand through her short blue-
black hair.

'They really do love each other despite the fighting the rivals and 
everything else they really do love each other,' Nabiki thought to herself 
before leaving.

Once back in her own room Nabiki sat down at her desk and began thinking 
hard about her part in Ranma's misery when she heard Shampoo's battle cry. 
Naturally, Nabiki moved as fast as she could to her sister's room once 
there she found Ranma protecting Akane.

"No know what pervert girl did to husband but shampoo kill you" shampoo 
said venomously as she advanced however a low and slightly feline growl 
from Ranma stopped her in her tracks.

As everyone turned to face Ranma, they saw a red aura at least three inches 
thick surrounding him. 

Growling and grinding his teeth Ranma said, "If you harm one hair on her 
head you will die shampoo."

"Then shampoo just chop off head," shampoo replied with a murderers smirk.

'Bad move' Nabiki thought before Ranma's rage exploded.

The resulting wave of anger blew away the entire back wall of Akane's room 
along with shampoo. Ranma not satisfied with what he had done leapt down to 
wear shampoo had been buried under the rubble of the Akane's room. Still 
growling like a panther Ranma flung the section of wall shampoo had been 
buried under away like it was a feather in the wind.

Seeing the piece of wall fly over the horizon Nabiki blanched even more so 
than she already had when Ranma had blown the side of her sister's bedroom 
away with a force of will alone.

"Kami," Nabiki muttered to herself while looking scared.

When the dust settled, Ranma had shampoo by the neck. The Chinese Amazon 
was in bad shape as was apparent by looking at her right arm and left leg 
both of which were twisted at unnatural angles. In addition, there was thin 
line of blood dripping out of the side of her mouth.

Ranma's left hand was also raised in what even Nabiki knew to be a killing 
blow. Seeing this, the normally cold mercenary felt an icy tendril of fear 
race up her spine.

"RANMA STOP," Cologne shouted in a pleading tone of voice.

"Why should I Cologne."

"Please I'll give you anything you want. just don't kill my great 
granddaughter," Cologne pleaded.

"Do you have any phoenix blood," Ranma demanded.

"Yes one vile here take it please just don't kill her," Cologne pleaded as 
she pulled out a small vile of red liquid that was glowing with a dim fiery 
light.

Ranma's response was to put Shampoo on the ground before taking the vile 
from Cologne and hopping off.

As Akane and Nabiki watched Ranma depart, Cologne started to tend to her 
great granddaughter with all of her expertise.

Nabiki too shocked by the advanced it had just transpired just twitched 
occasionally as she looked out upon the scene.

Akane on the other hand wanted to know what the hell phoenix blood did and 
so rushed down to Cologne.

"Cologne what does Phoenix Blood do," Akane asked as she skidded to a halt 
behind Cologne.

"It can revive the dead after any amount of time. But if Ranma uses it on 
someone's body that has had their spirit passed beyond the veil or if the 
person's spirit is tortured the results will be a soul vampire," Cologne 
said sadly, before adding, "The only way that blood can be used properly is 
if he uses it on the body of someone who has a living spirit."

"But who in Nerima is a living spirit," Akane asked while looking very very 
worried.

"Who ever told Ranma phoenix blood existed in the first place... and as to 
who this person's identity is we will find out soon enough" Cologne replied 
gravely.

"..." was all Akane said in reply before she ran off after Ranma.

******************

Later at the Tendo family graves, Akane finds Ranma meditating.

"What is he up to," Akane mumbled before Ranma sat up and put the vile of 
phoenix blood on the ground of her mother's grave. "ok this is weird from 
what Cologne said he has to use the blood not just put it on the ground" 
Akane mumbled to herself before a skeletal hand shot out of the ground and 
grabbed onto the vile which such force it shattered spilling its contents 
over the hand. However before Akane could even throw up because of the 
shock of what she had just seen everything in the area was drowned out by a 
blinding white light and the sound of the dead awakening. As this was 
happening Akane managed to speak out, "why Ranma why," as tears streamed 
down her face.

*******************

Back at the dojo where shampoo had been moved to the couch in the tearoom, 
a column of light could clearly be seen arcing towards the heavens from the 
direction of the graveyard.

"A living spirit has awoken from the death of the body," Cologne commented 
before turning her back to Shampoo who had already had her arm and leg set 
with the help of Kasumi.

*******************

As the light faded, Ranma stopped shielding his eyes to find Mrs. Tendo 
levitating above of her own grave and by the time, the Tendo matriarch had 
landed next to Ranma Akane was by his side.

Mrs. Tendo wore a bright red tube top, a pair of orange slacks, and a long 
light forest green cape that came over her shoulders. Also, the cape was 
open enough to reveal that it had a royal purple lining. Her distinguishing 
features were her height which was six feet even, long sky blue hair, and a 
set of piercing Emerald green eyes which showed even to the most 
inexperienced that she was far far older than she looked. In addition, the 
Tendo matriarch was she was quite muscular. Strangely, the fact she looked 
buff only seemed to add to her already ample feminine beauty.

"I am Hishizuka Tendo, Master Magi born in the Avalon calendar year 102,054. 
I am 5035 years old and creator of the most powerful transformation magic 
ever known. Approximately 4000 years ago, I had to do battle with an Ashura. 
I defeated her by transforming her into a statue with my magic. The statue 
'drowned' by shattering into a thousand pieces in that small spring. The 
magic water of those springs mixed with her powers and my magic resulting 
in the entire area being cursed which has led to some most unique and 
grotesque transformations ever known. The human-to-monster transformations 
never really take hold because the ki of alternate state is unstable. 
Human-to-animal take over two years to become permanent. However the human-
to-human take hold immediately," Akane's mother said while looking off into 
space.

"Why," Ranma asked.

"The reason why the alternate body becomes permanent is because the 
person's ki takes it over. With a human-to-human, transformation the 
person's ki immediately knows how to take over the alternate body because 
the alternate body is based upon your own genes. In other words your 
alternate body is a direct and true reflection of what you would look like 
if you were born as a girl Ranma," Hishizuka explained.

"So you can't get rid of the whole thing," Ranma asked to make sure.

"No once the ki takes hold there is no way to get rid of it," Hishizuka 
said as she shifted her gaze around the springs, "but I can get rid of the 
water based trigger."

"So what do you mean about alternate body," Ranma asked curiously.

"There are three types of transformation magic. Type 1 is the oldest. Type 
1 magic only gives the appearance of changing into another creature ... In 
fact, if someone touches you while under the influence of type 1 magic the 
magic is dispelled. Type two is very common it's the old which turns the 
Prince into a frog Magic," Hishizuka explained.

"But isn't that what happens," Ranma asked.

"Yes and no. With a type two transformation a person's body is literally 
reshaped at the genetic and biological level into what ever that being 
transformed into ... This also results in the person's ki being wrapped 
somewhat ...the affect is permanent until they are returned to their 
natural form. ... Type 3 transformation on the other hand never actually 
affects the person's natural body instead it uses standard type two magic 
plus my own special magic to create a alternate body which becomes 
permanent after a special ki binder spell is used causing the magical 
alternate body to become physical this along with a good old-fashioned faze 
shifting spell allows the person to have two bodies ...now the Springs 
botched the job of creating the magical alternate body in that every time 
you or anyone with a curse it splashed the magical alternate body is 
completely recreated .....  But that still won't stop the trigger from 
changing them back and forth or causing the alternate body to be reshaped 
every time ... Even after it becomes permanent."

"So I guess that means the springs have type 2 1/2 transformation magic," 
Ranma said absently to which Hishizuka replied by looking thoughtful.

"I suppose that's as good a way as any to describe it," Hishizuka replied 
"now Ranma considering you fell into the spring of the drowned young girl I 
have a little bit of work to do on you about four years growth of work if 
you get my drift."

"This is going to hurt like hell isn't it," Ranma said while looking a bit 
hot under the collar.

"No worse much worse," Hishizuka said before raising her hand and firing 
off and energy blast which instantly caused Ranma to shift into his female 
form which then began to grow at an accelerated pace and four excruciating 
minutes later Ranma-chan drops to the ground however Ranma-chan being 
Ranma-chan manages to pick herself up almost immediately.

The new and improved Ranma-chan stood as tall as Akane and looked just as 
strong.

"Damm you weren't kidding," Ranma-chan said while noticing that her voice 
had lost its annoying feminine squeak "it feels almost as strong has my 
normal body now," Ranma-chan said absently.

"Now for the water based trigger," Hishizuka said before firing off and 
energy blast at Ranma-chan.

"Is that it?" The no longer diminutive redhead said before the transforming 
back into a Ranma.

"For now," Hishizuka replied as she turned her attention to Akane who had 
collapsed on the ground out of shock of what happened. Silently the ancient 
Tendo matriarch kneeled next to her daughter and stroked her cheek with her 
left-hand.

"Mama," Akane squeaked out as she began to cry while she clutched her 
mother's hand before fainting.

"A little too much has happened to her today hasn't it," Hishizuka stated 
before picking her daughter up and wrapping her cape around her. "Come on 
Ranma let's get back to the dojo," Hishizuka stated before the two 
continued onto the dojo.

However, about halfway back to the dojo Akane awoke.

"Mom are you..." Akane asked.

"Yes I'm really back," Akane's mother replied as she put her daughter down.

Akane didn't reply as she continued to hold on to her mother well resting 
her head on her shoulder. Ranma who was observing this smiled.

****************

Meanwhile back at the dojo shampoo had been stabilized.

'That was a fool thing you did child threatening to kill Akane even after 
Ranma had told you that he would kill you if you harmed her in any way,' 
Cologne thought to herself as she sipped some tea Kasumi had provided.

"Is she going to be okay," Kasumi asked.

"With time child with time ... and I hope she learns and valuable lesson 
from this."

"And what lesson would that be," Nabiki asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Never get in between a Panther and his mate ... or if you like never get 
in between a superpowered martial artist that can flatten mountains and the 
one he loves," Cologne replied with a smirk.

"Oh come on Ranma can't flatten mountains,"

"Sis he can flatten mountains through collateral damage alone when he's 
fighting at full power," Akane provided seriously, as she entered the room 
with Hishizuka and Ranma.

Upon seeing the Tendo matriarch the reactions that were given were varied 
however, all held an undertone of shock.

"Hi-chan!!" Nodoka, Genma, and Soun bellowed while Kasumi and Nabiki 
screamed "mom!" and lastly Cologne shouted "Sensei."

Hishizuka for her part just smiled at the reactions she received before 
noticing Shampoo after which she turned to Ranma with a scolding look on 
her face. Ranma's response was to look shameful. Akane responded by 
wrapping a supportive arm around him. Seeing this Hishizuka just shook her 
head before returning her gaze to Shampoo and saying "Curaga." That simple 
word caused the purple haired Amazon to be engulfed in a powerful healing 
energy, which instantly healed all of her injuries.

Shortly thereafter Shampoo awoke and almost immediately saw Ranma and Akane 
sitting on the couch in a casual embrace. Looking at her great-grandmother 
shampoo asked a question she already knew the answer to "shampoo lose."

"Yes child you have" Cologne stated before she and shampoo left leaving the 
Tendo and Saotome families alone with Hishizuka.

"Now where should I begin," Hishizuka said with a smirk that put Nabiki's 
trademark mercenary smile to shame.

***************

Later that night we find Nabiki in her room thinking of her mother and the 
secret that had been revealed. As well as the sheer amount of power, she 
had seen Ranma display.

Meanwhile Kasumi sat in her room thinking of her mother and her connection 
to the springs.

While in the guest room, Nodoka and Genma also thought of the Tendo 
matriarch. Nodoka's thoughts about the woman were mixed. Genma's thoughts 
on the other hand were along the lines of why hadn't she cured him of being 
a panda as he munched on some bamboo.

Ranma and Akane however just enjoyed each other's company in Akane's room, 
which had been repaired instantly by Hishizuka.

Soun sat at his Shoji bord playing a game with no one.

Hishizuka herself stood by the koi pond enjoying the cool night air and a 
slight breeze that caused her cape and hair to flutter ever so slightly.

After a moment, however Hishizuka sensed Nodoka.

"It's been 10 years since I've been able to enjoy a cool evening breeze," 
Hishizuka commented absently before turning and facing Nodoka.

"Why," Nodoka asked.

"It doesn't really matter Nodoka it has happened and now life must go on ... 
I will do all I can for Ranma and I will not hurt him intentionally ... the 
springs and Genma have already done too much damage to him," Hishizuka 
replied.

"And what of the water sprite spirit you spoke of."

"That Nodoka we will all find out tomorrow," Hishizuka replied as she 
walked by Nodoka leaving the Saotome matriarch think about what the next 
day would bring in a rather absent-minded manner.

[Ranko]

Early morning at the Tendo dojo, we find Ranma and Akane sleeping together 
in Akane's room and as the first rays of sunshine entered the room, they 
awoke. Akane found herself staring into the sleeping face of Ranma. Akane's 
reply to this was to smile before her nose detected the aroma of food, 
which made her smile even more as she realized that her mother must be 
cooking breakfast. However, Akane was in no particular hurry to go 
downstairs as was apparent when she squeezed Ranma a bit tighter. However, 
Ranma's stomach had other ideas as was apparent when it growled awakening 
the pigtailed martial artist who quickly detected the aroma in the air.

Sniffing the air Ranma asked, "Who's cooking breakfast."

"My mom," Akane replied with a happy smile before the two went downstairs 
where they found Kasumi sitting at the tea table looking rather 
uncomfortable while Nabiki sat nearby smiling.

"Sis calm down," Nabiki said as she patted Kasumi on the shoulder.

"But it's my job to cook breakfast," Kasumi replied while sounding almost 
like she was whining.

"Not anymore it isn't," Nabiki replied with a smirk that was completely 
missed by Kasumi as she looked down the hall at the kitchen.

"Yes now that your mother is back you'll no longer have to do any of the 
house work," Nodoka said with a smile.

Kasumi's response to that was highly unusual as was apparent when she 
started to wail like her father as she said, "But what am I going to do if 
I can't do the house work."

Hishizuka who was just entering with breakfast made a suggestion, "why 
don't you go and work for Dr. Tofu as a nurse."

"Oh my; what a wonderful idea," Kasumi said with a smile.

"Somebody better tell the doc to write a prescription for sedatives for 
himself real quick," Ranma whispered into Akane's ear.

Akane's reply to this was an elbow to Ranma's gut as she tried to suppress 
a giggle.

"Don't worry I'll make sure he gets the message," Nabiki whispered just 
loud enough for Ranma and Akane to hear.

However before Akane could respond breakfast was served this of course 
ceased any further conversation.

*****************

Later after breakfast had been eaten, we find Hishizuka and Ranma 
meditating by the koi pond while both were surrounded by a strange energy 
field. All watching this seen were very nervous.

Meanwhile in the depths of Ranma's mind Hishizuka and Ranma stare at Ranko.

"Well I suppose it's time to get the show on the road," Hishizuka said 
before starting to chat something in an ancient language after which she 
and Ranko disappeared. Seeing this Ranma quickly willed himself awake. Once 
he opened his eyes, he saw Hishizuka chanting while Ranko still encased in 
a bubble floating above the koi pond. Ranma's only response to this was to 
remain motionless as Hishizuka continued her spell.

15 full minutes later she finished and Ranko floated down to the ground 
where Hishizuka took off her cape and used it as a blanket to cover the 
girl who looked as if she was no older than 13.

"Is she okay," Akane asked as she had the rest of the almost had gathered 
around the sleeping red head who unusually had two streaks of aqua green 
hair on either side of her head just above her forehead.

"Yes and it is only a matter of time before she awakens," Hishizuka said as 
Nodoka leaned over her shoulder.

*****************

Sometime later Ranko awakens to find Ranma Akane and Hishizuka looking down 
at her.

"Hello child what is the last thing you remember," Hishizuka asked.

"I was playing in the spring when someone...." The water sprite changed 
girl said before trailing off, as her entire presence seemed to shift, "no 
It was a panda kicked me into a spring," Ranko said before seeming to shift 
again.

This shifting seemed to go on for quite a while before the girl calm down 
and looked at Hishizuka questioningly.

"What's happened to me?" 

"You have become a real person due to what happened at the springs," 
Hishizuka explained.

"Real," the girl asked while looking astonished, "No longer just a water 
sprite but a real person."

"Yes, Hishizuka replied "and you have Ranma here to thank for it."

"So were you the one that fell in the spring?" The girl asked to which 
Ranma only nodded. "So what is to become of me?"

Without hesitation Ranma placed his head on her shoulder, "from now on 
you're my sister Ranko understand."

The only reply Ranko gave to that was a nervous smile before being dragged 
off to meet the family.

**************

After Ranko had been introduced to everyone, she walked out side and sat 
down by the koi pond where she began playing with the water.

Kasumi who was curiously watching the young girl asked her mother a 
question, "what is she doing?"

"What water sprites do, play with water," Hishizuka replied as the water in 
the koi pond churned and swirled into all sorts of shapes under Ranko's 
magical touch much to Kasumi's amazement and delight.

***************

Meanwhile watching from the guest room Nodoka looked down at Ranko with a 
motherly smile on her face.

Genma-panda however just snored in the background.

****************

On the roof, however Ranma and Akane sat and watched the show.

"So what do you think of her?" Ranma asked.

"I don't know yet," Akane responded before Nodoka could be seen exiting the 
tearoom and talking to Ranko about something seeing this Ranma and Akane 
curiously hopped off the roof. What they found was Nodoka talking to Ranko 
about was going to the store for some clothes. Ranko however was not 
enthused about wearing a dress as was apparent from the look on her face.

"You know there are other things you can where besides dresses," Hishizuka 
offered as she stepped out side.

"Like what you where," Ranko asked causing Nodoka to blanch while Ranma and 
Akane snickered quietly.

"Perhaps you should consider something a little less ... hum ...." Nodoka 
said before trailing off.

"Risque," Hishizuka provided with a smirk causing Nodoka to nod vehemently 
before the five left the Tendo dojo.

***************

Several moments later we find Nodoka and Hishizuka had fallen behind Ranma-
chan, Akane, and Ranko.

"Tell me truthfully is there no way to cure Ranma," Nodoka asked.

"Technically there is but," Hishizuka said before whispering something into 
Nodoka's ear which caused the Saotome matriarch to pale considerably.

"If that is the only way then I do not want Ranma doing it," Nodoka said 
after regaining some of her color.

"I wouldn't worry about Ranma's sanity Nodoka I have known many people that 
have both chosen and had type 3 transformation magic forced upon them." 
Hishizuka said as she put a reassuring hand on Nodoka shoulder 

"...and," Nodoka asked.

"Those that have had things forced upon them --usually by the springs-- 
recovered mentally after accepting their dual nature. Also being both does 
wonders for being able to understand what the other side goes through."

"I suppose your right but I still worry," Nodoka replied.

"And what would ease your concerns somewhat," the ancient Magi asked.

"Well what if Ranma had to change forms say to get away from something or 
someone," Nodoka said nervously.

"A valid point a valid point," Hishizuka commented before holding her palm 
upward and materializing a armlet that illustrated a snake type dragon 
flying over a heard of horses, "and one that is easily addressed with this 
transformation bracelet." 

"How so," Nodoka asked curiously.

"It'll change Ranma's clothes whenever he wills himself to change forms," 
Hishizuka replied.

******************

Later at one of Nerima's larger clothing stores, we find Ranko and Akane 
generally torturing Ranma-chan by making her try on everything and anything 
that would fit the buxom redhead. 

Watching the three from a corner of the store Nodoka could not even help 
but smile.

"Personally I like tube top, open vest combo from a little earlier ... 
although the colors they picked were horrible for Ranma," Hishizuka 
commented quietly as she leaned back in the chair she was sitting in.

"That and the slacks," Nodoka added, as Ranma-chan was drug around at near 
warp speed.

"True a mini skirt say halfway down to the knees and a pair of black skin 
tight leggings would work much better," was Hishizuka's reply as Ranma-chan 
tried to hide from her fiancé and new sister with no success whatsoever.

Nodoka's only comment to that was to blush before reluctantly nodding.

Smiling Hishizuka decided to save Ranma-chan while also ensuring the 
redhead wore something feminine that made her mother squirm and would make 
her father go crazy.

And so that is why approximately 30 minutes later we find Akane, Ranko, and 
Ranma-chan wearing near identical outfit's that consisted of a open vest, 
tube top which was approximately 6 inches from top to bottom, a black mini 
skirt that went halfway down to the knees and lastly a pair of black skin 
tight leggings.

The only difference between the three girls was the color of their outfits; 
Ranma-chan wore a bright red vest with an intricate but barely noticeable 
flowering ivy pattern tracing around the hems of the vest and a green tube 
top, Akane wore a bright blue vest with a diagonal blue and white sash and 
an equally bright yellow tube top that had a yellow and white sash going on 
opposite diagonal as the one on her vest, and finely Ranko wore a bright 
yellow vest and a magenta tube top which was the reason why everyone was 
looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I want to stand out," the Ranko said with an impish smile.

"Well I'd say your choices of color will do just that," Akane said to which 
Ranko replied by looking very happy.

Hishizuka's only reply to this was to laugh lightly before saying, "well 
let's get going."

****************

Later that day after a visit to the lingerie store --at Nodoka's 
insistence-- we find Ranma-chan, Akane and Ranko munching on some ice cream 
while Hishizuka and Nodoka had gone off somewhere by themselves.

Ranma-chan who had already finished her first parfait was looking at the 
intricate ivy pattern on her vest.

Seeing this Akane asked, "Anything wrong?"

"No I just usually don't like patterns on my stuff that's all," Ranma-chan 
replied while sounding somewhat annoyed.

"Well what about that outfit with the dragon on it," Akane said in protest.

The only reply Ranma-chan gave was to shrug her shoulders and say, "I do 
make exceptions occasionally," before returning her gaze to the ivy pattern 
and adding "and I don't really like this kind of ivy anyhow ...guess I'll 
have to change it later."

That last statement of course raised Akane's eyebrow quite high however, 
she didn't have the chance to respond before Ranko who had just finished 
her ice cream looked her direction. Seeing the condition of Ranko's face 
which was absolutely covered with chocolate syrup and various other ice 
cream toppings along with a to cute look was too much for Akane's resolve 
as was apparent when she fell off her chair laughing. Ranko of course was 
annoyed by this until Ranma-chan tapped her on the shoulder while pointing 
to the mirror behind the counter of the ice cream parlor and upon seeing 
herself in the mirror Ranko breaks down in laughter as well.

****************

Elsewhere we find Nodoka and Hishizuka eating their lunch.

Hishizuka who had just finished her lunch at near Ranma speed noted 
Nodoka's distant look as she picked at her food.

"So what's got you worried now," Hishizuka asked as she sat back in her 
chair.

"About how carried away I got back their," Nodoka said while looking 
disturbed.

Hishizuka's reply was to use her hand to lift Nodoka's chin so the Saotome 
matriarch was forced to look into her eyes.

What Nodoka found when she looked into Hishizuka's eyes was a glimpse of 
who the ancient Magi really was a mother, a warrior, a user of the ancient 
arts, and many many things Nodoka did not even want to imagine. 

Speaking with a voice that what pierce the most hardened of souls in an 
instant Hishizuka simply said, "listen to me child listen to your heart and 
soul they will never lead you down the wrong path."

Nodoka's reply was to flinch and pull back from the sheer amount of power 
she had just felt from Hishizuka before clutching her heart and fainting.

'Rest now child,' Hishizuka thought calmly as she looked at Nodoka.

******************

Meanwhile back in the ice cream parlor both Ranko and Akane had managed to 
recover from their laughing fit.

Shaking her head Ranma-chan just laughed lightly at the two before leaving 
the restaurant with a still giggling Ranko on Akane behind her. "Come on 
you to it wasn't that funny," Ranma-chan finely said.

"Yes it was," Akane said in between giggles before the three continued on 
their way.

*****************

Later that day we find Ranma-chan sitting under her favorite bridge when 
Hishizuka sat down beside her.

"So how are you feeling," Hishizuka asked to which Ranma-chan shrugged her 
shoulders to as a reply. "So are you ready for another trip inside your 
mind," Hishizuka added.

"Yeah I suppose so," Ranma-chan answered before looking at Hishizuka 
questioningly.

Hishizuka's response to this was to pull the redhead in for a motherly hug 
as she said, "Remember this Ranma you will always be you no matter who you 
become."

"No it's not that, it's just I don't know who I am anymore," Ranma-chan 
said while sounding and looking very scared.

"Such is the price for rediscovering oneself Ranma. As it always is with 
any journey of self-discovery or redefinition to redefine who you are you 
must often lose who you were." Hishizuka provided sagely.

A strange silence was Ranma-chan's only reply before nodding and laying 
back.

[Memories]

As Ranma-chan opened her eyes, she found herself in her minds eye dojo. As 
she looked around, she found no one. 

Looking around once again but this time with her ki sense, 'something's 
wrong I can't sense anything not even the usual pieces of me that float 
around in here.'

After that, thought was concluded Ranma-chan began looking around her minds 
eye dojo in search of anything or anyone out of the ordinary. Finding 
nothing in her immediate facility Ranma-chan started to explore the rest of 
the dojo.

"Well this is going well," Ranma-chan commented to no one in particular as 
she finished looking over the tearoom. Looking around the room once more 
the buxom redhead shrugged her shoulders before continuing on her mission 
to find what ever needed to be found however after searching every nook and 
cranny of the dojo Ranma-chan couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. 
Needless to say, Ranma-chan was not pleased by this turn of events however 
as Ranma-chan reentered the yard by the koi pond she took note of the gates 
to the dojo which were open. Raising an eyebrow at this Ranma-chan 
commented, "Now THAT is odd especially since those gates have never been 
there before," before heading right through the gates only to find herself 
in the Saotome household.

Ranma-chan's immediate reaction to this was to shiver subconsciously as 
long buried memories started to surface.

****************

Meanwhile back in the real world Hishizuka observed Ranma-chan who had 
began to look as if she was having a nightmare of some sort. Hishizuka's 
silent response to this was to as a scanning spell, which told her many 
repressed memories were being released within Ranma's mind. Hishizuka's 
response to that information was a silent frown considering she knew from 
past experience that such an experience was painful in the greatest of 
under statements.

Putting her hands behind her head Hishizuka absently thought, 'what demons 
and monsters of days of old created by nightmares and memories of blackest 
black and darkest darkness lurk within your mind warrior.'

With that thought, Hishizuka absently reached over and brushed a stray 
strand of hair from Ranma-chan's face. After that, the ancient Magi sat 
back closed her eyes and reached out with her mind to scan the entirety of 
Nerima with a level of detail and precision unimaginable to even Cologne 
and her finely homed ki senses.

****************

Back in Ranma's mind however, Ranma-chan had been reduced to a crying and 
shaking mass as the lost memories of her childhood swirled and echoed 
around her replaying their contents over and over again. When the deluge of 
memories finely ended Ranma-chan had another thing to be angry with her 
father for, for she remembered the childhood her father had robbed her of. 
That childhood was a happy and carefree one spent playing with friends, 
pounding bullies into the ground for what they did to those that could not 
defend themselves from having their lunch money stolen, and memories of a 
loving and caring mother who would always be there.

Having all of these memories back made Ranma-chan feel extremely happy 
however that happiness was overshadowed by the anger generated by the fact 
her father had done something beyond cruel. He had used a series of 
pressure points and a certain formulae of shampoo to block the memories of 
a happy and carefree childhood.

[The great panda hunt]

Hishizuka's scanning of Nerima was interrupted by an immensely powerful 
wave of anger. The source of that anger was not even a yard away from her. 
Hishizuka's response to this was to raise an eyebrow as Ranma-chan awoke.

"And what has got you so pissed off," Hishizuka asked.

"Pop used that Damn memory altering shampoo to wipe out my childhood 
memories," Ranma-chan practically growled.

Hishizuka's response to that was to do in imitation of her youngest 
daughter and start glowing red before mumbling something in an ancient 
language, which caused a huge fireball to vaporize a large section of the 
drainage canal causing Ranma-chan to smile malevolently before cracking her 
knuckles.

"So do you want to join me in my game of pound the panda," Ranma-chan said 
with a smile that would have Nabiki running for the hills in less than a 
billionth of a second.

"But of course," Hishizuka replied before the two decided to hunt down the 
panda.

****************

Back at the Tendo dojo Genma felt a wave of indescribable fear wash over 
him. Looking up from the game he was playing with Soun Genma looked around 
the room trying to figure out who was angry with him. Blinking absently he 
shrugged his shoulders and returned to his game. However, 5 minutes later 
the hairs on his neck stood straight up as he sensed Hishizuka and Ranma 
enter the dojo. Genma's response to this was to run for his life however, 
he gracefully trips and falls into the koi pond on his way out of the dojo. 
However, after jumping out of the koi pond Genma-panda found himself being 
bombarded by ki blasts and fireballs, razor-sharp-icicles, and lightning 
bolts.

"Stop!!," Nodoka bellowed as she ran outside.

Ranma-chan and Hishizuka reluctantly did so.

"Why did you attack him?" Nodoka asked while looking horrified.

Ranma-chan's only response was to tell her mother what her father had done.

By the time Ranma-chan had finished even Kasumi had a weapon in her hand 
and was ready to kill the panda.

"We go kill panda man now," shampoo asked as she sharpened the spikes on 
her new vanadium steel medieval maces.

"Yeah I'm out for panda blood to," Ukyou said with a demonic smile.

"Same here," Ryouga said as he cracked his knuckles.

"Count me in to its always fun to pound the panda," Mousse said as he 
sharpened a few of his weapons.

"I too shall partake in this quest to smite this vile panda that erases 
innocent children's memories," Kunou bellowed as lightning flashed in the 
background.

"As will I," Kodachi said with one of her patented laughs.

Nodoka's only response was to fidget with her katana, which she was 
repeatedly pulling in and out of its sheath while an angry scowl, rested on 
her face.

Nabiki with her weapon of choice, which was an extremely high-powered 
handgun just loaded a clip and, smiled with her patented smile.

Kasumi just smiled sweetly as she looked through her cookbook while several 
large cooking knifes which had been balanced for throwing sat on the table 
next to her along with a panda sized frying pan.

Soun just sat ready in full samurai armor.

Hishizuka also in full Magi's robes just sat at the ready.

Akane wondered which weapon she should choose or if she should just pound 
Genma with her bare hands and feet.

Ranko glowed with a dim magical aura while the koi pond behind her 
illustrated methods to kill a panda slowly and painfully. All of which of 
course involved water in some manner.

Ranma who had a wicked grin on his face said the three simple words, "to 
the hunt."

That dear readers was that cue for the hunt for the panda to began.

**************

Later in another part of Nerima Genma-panda nervously peaked out of an 
alleyway while thinking 'what in the world got the boy that mad.'

Looking around once more Genma-panda stepped out of the alleyway only to be 
attacked by Kunou and Kodachi who both shouted something to the effect of 
killing demonic panda that stole children's precious memories.

Genma-panda's only response to the two siblings of insanity was an 
oversized sign that flattened both of them.

After a moment of thought, Genma-panda's face contorted in fear as he 
realized that Ranma had remembered his childhood and how he had robbed him 
of that childhood. 

Gulping audiblely the panda thought, 'this could be bad extremely bad.' 3 
seconds later the panda's fears were confirmed as Shampoo and Ukyou charged 
him weapons at the ready the panda's only response to this was to hold up a 
sign that read, >Mercy.<

About a half an hour, later Genma-panda had managed to evade shampoo, Ukyou, 
Kunou and Kodachi. The panda in question was in bad shape as was apparent 
from the numerous, cuts, bruises. The panda's savior was Nabiki. After 
momentarily catching his breath, Genma-panda pulled out a sign that read, 
>so what do I owe you?<

Nabiki's only reply to that was to reach behind her back while smiling in a 
very kawaii manner.

2 seconds later Genma-panda ran out of the alley while dodging bullets -
with no success considering how good Nabiki's aim was. This of course 
attracted the attention of the panda's other pursuers all of whom happily 
joined in the chase with Nabiki.

Another hour later Genma-panda had managed to ditch his pursuers by ducking 
into another alley however he couldn't have picked a worse alley as was 
apparent when he turned around to find mousse and Ryouga who by this time 
had matching evil smiles on their faces.

*************

Elsewhere in Nerima, we find Kasumi waiting in a warehouse along with Ranko 
and Akane.

"...and all you have to do is get Mr. Saotome in here," Kasumi was heard 
saying from the shadows of the warehouse.

"Don't worry sis we'll make sure he gets in here," Akane replied before she 
and Ranko -- who had two Panthers made of water by her side -- left the 
building.

***************

'Got to hide,' a certain panda thought to himself as he dodged another 
barrage of bullets while also avoiding innumerable weapons.

However, the panda did not get that chance to think anything more before he 
saw Akane and Ranko along with Ranko's aqua panthers charging him. However, 
Genma-panda being the master thief and coward he was ducked into a nearby 
warehouse for shelter. Upon seeing this, his pursuers ground to a halt and 
proceeded to have a tea party.

**************

Inside the warehouse, however Genma-panda had one thought that ran through 
his mind, 'why am I getting a strong sense of foreboding.'

Genma-panda's fears were confirmed a half a second later when ten very 
large kitchen-knifes came whizzing his direction pinning him to what he was 
leaning against like a cartoon character. Upon inspecting what he was 
pinned against Genma-panda discovered that he was now pinned to a giant 
cutting board. Sweating profusely, he saw someone stepped out of the 
shadows with a cookbook.

After looking at the cookbook for a while his attacker put the book aside 
to reveal that Kasumi was Genma-panda's attacker.

'This could be bad,' Genma-panda thought to himself while noting the title 
of the cookbook was 1001 ways to cook a panda.

Smiling with her usual innocence Kasumi grabbed the warehouse's heavy 
lifting crane controls and said, "I think I'll make deep-fried panda 
tonight," before pushing a button on the controls.

Sweat-dropping to the absolute extreme Genma-panda noticed the giant 
crucible of boiling oil that was moving toward him.

***************

Back outside Akane just sipped some tea as the sound of something horrible 
being tortured wafted from the warehouse.

"What nice girl do to panda man boil in oil," Shampoo asked curiously.

The reply to Shampoo's question was given in the form of a panda who now 
had absolutely no fur running right through the side of the warehouse 
followed closely by Kasumi who was wielding a giant frying pan as expertly 
as Ukyou wielded her combat spatula.

"Well offhand sugar I'd say she did," Ukyou replied before the chase was on 
once more.

**************

Meanwhile on a nearby roof Soun who was using the helmet from his samurai's 
armor as a popcorn bowl just smiled as he watched his friend on a crystal 
panel that was floating in mid air.

Sitting next to him was Hishizuka who had been using curative spells on the 
rotund panda to make sure he did not die after all as Nodoka had put it, 
that was too quick of a retribution.

**************

'They'll never guess I'm heading back to the dojo,' Genma-panda thought as 
he finally ditched his pursuers.

With that, thought concluded Genma-panda headed back to the dojo. Once 
there however he found a bucket of hot water had been pored over him. Upon 
turning around to see who had pored the water on him Genma found the other 
two members of his family both looking at him with smiles that would've 
scared the grim reaper shitless.

"I don't suppose either of you will give me any mercy?" Genma asked 
hopefully.

The only reply that was given was the sound of knuckles cracking and a 
sword being drawn.

*************

Elsewhere in Nerima, the pursuers of the demonic panda as Kunou put it just 
smiled as they heard the tortured screams of Genma after the screams had 
died down the group minus Kunou and Kodachi of course decided to head back 
to the dojo while thinking of a final and just punishment to inflict upon 
Genma.

**************

Later that day we find everyone gathered around the tea table while Genma 
had been tied up by his hands and ankles dangled in the wind just outside 
the tearoom with an apple in his mouth.

"Well I say we just nuke him," Nabiki said as she cleaned her gun.

"Naa that's too quick and easy for the bastard," Ukyou replied as she toyed 
with a throwing spatula.

"How bout boiling oil," shampoo said as she helped Kasumi move a pot of 
boiling oil underneath Genma.

Ryouga who had put the apple in Genma's mouth just smiled as he ate one of 
his own. "It is an appealing way to get rid of him," Ryouga said.

"Yes I must agree with you there," Mousse said as he helped Kasumi slice a 
few vegetables for a fried Genma stew.

"Naa we got to do something to pop that will really be mean and cruel," 
Ranma said as he looked at his father.

"Please do tell son," Nodoka said with a grin that was a little too wide.

"I say we change him into the one thing he hates the absolute most," Ranma 
said with an equally wide smile.

"...and what would that be," Akane asked.

"Change him into a woman of course," Ranma replied.

The reply received from that was 10 all teeth grins.

"A most appropriate punishment but I do not think it goes far enough," 
Hishizuka said with a smile that put Nabiki's trademark mischievous smirk 
to shame.

"Do tell Mother do tell what would go far enough," Nabiki asked with a 
smirk.

"When Genma changes into a woman he will have no control over his actions 
as his female form goes around doing every stereotypical thing Genma hates 
about women," Hishizuka replied before adding "and of course I'll magnify 
the water magnet affect of the curse as well as making it a bit more 
malicious."

"Damn that's downright vindictive ... not that I'm complaining mind you." 
Ranma said.

"Now all in favor raise their hands," Hishizuka said.

The reply she received was 11 raised hands.

"Well the vote is unanimous," Hishizuka said with a grin before starting to 
manipulate Genma's curse.

******************

A few hours later, we find Ranma-chan sitting on the roof absently humming 
to herself when an extremely loud ear-piercing extreme was heard. A few 
seconds later, a short woman ran out of the tearoom looking as if she was 
losing her mind. After a beam of energy hit her, however she started acting 
like a stereotypical housewife this of course causes Ranma-chan and the 
rest of the inhabitants of the Tendo dojo to start laughing.

[Chapter 5]

It was a quiet day at Ucchan's okonomiyaki store especially quiet since it 
was just after lunch hour rush.

"I just can't believe Mrs. Tendo was the one responsible for those 
springs," Ukyou said to no one in particular as she thought of the events 
of the previous day.

"...but its true Ukyou," Hishizuka said as she's entered and sat down at 
the counter and ordered one of Ukyou's famous okonomiyakis. 

After watching Hishizuka do a Ranma eating imitation Ukyou asked, "So 
what's your position on all of this?"

"I have none," Hishizuka replied coolly surprising Ukyou immensely before 
adding, "however I suggest you give Ranma enough space to breathe."

Ukyou's reply to that was to look confused.

Rolling her eyes and a Nabiki like manner Hishizuka elaborated, "At the 
moment Ranma hardly understands his own feelings let alone has the 
capability to choose who he is going to marry."

"Another thing that can be blamed on Genma," Ukyou said darkly.

"And everyone's behavior for the past year. After all no one in Nerima has 
given a thought to Ranma's feelings," Hishizuka said calmly to which Ukyou 
replied by starting to protest however, a piercing look from Hishizuka 
stopped her cold.

"Hmm I guess I'll think about what you said," Ukyou finely answered to 
which Hishizuka only responded by nodding before leaving.

*******************

As Hishizuka left Ucchan's she sensed Ryouga behind her practically boiling 
with anger. Hishizuka's only response to this was to wait for the lost boy 
to attack her. Once he did however, Ryouga found himself being held quite 
securely from behind. "Ryouga did you honestly think attacking me would do 
anything but lead to your own death," Hishizuka said calmly as she held 
Ryouga in an grip that was so powerful that Ryouga couldn't even move a mm 
let alone escape from.

Ryouga being Ryouga only replies by driving his elbow into Hishizuka's gut 
as fast and as many times as he could.

Hishizuka didn't even flinch let alone let go Ryouga.

"You call that an elbow boy," Hishizuka said in a taunting tone of voice 
before swinging Ryouga around and elbowing him in the ribs once.

As blackness encompassed him, Ryouga felt all of his ribs breaking as blood 
jetted from his mouth. While all of this was happening, one coherent 
thought raced through Ryouga's mind, 'too strong.'

"That pig was for what you did to my daughter," Hishizuka commented before 
levitating Ryouga into the air and back into Ucchan's where Ukyou just 
stared at Hishizuka in disbelief.

"You held Ryouga and took some of his best hits like he wasn't even doing 
anything to you," Ukyou said in shock and amazement.

"Ukyou as far as I'm concerned he's about as strong as a summer's breeze," 
Hishizuka answered as she levitated Ryouga onto a nearby table.

Hearing this Ukyou blanches visibly before starting to examine Ryouga only 
to find all of his ribs broken as well as blood dripping out of his mouth. 
"K-KA-KAMI you only hit him one time even I could tell you were pulling 
it," Ukyou stuttered out.

"How bad," Hishizuka asked.

"All of his ribs are broken and I'm pretty sure both lungs are punctured," 
Ukyou replied.

Shaking her head Hishizuka mumbled something in an ancient language before 
flicking her wrist, which caused Ryouga to be encompassed in a healing 
energy.

Examining Ryouga Ukyou raised an eyebrow.

"After what he's done to Akane he deserves to have all of his ribs broken," 
Hishizuka answered with a chilly demeanor.

***********************

Meanwhile across town we find a very nervous Dr. Tofu trying to calm 
himself as he watched Kasumi walk around in a nurse's uniform that he swore 
Nabiki picked out just to make him sweat among other things.

Kasumi on the other hand just smiled and wondered why Dr. Tofu was sweating 
before adjusting the nurse's uniform she had picked out by herself which 
unusually made Dr. Tofu faint.

************************

Meanwhile back at Ucchan's Ryouga awakens to find his chest in an 
immobilizing cast while his arms and legs were being held tightly.

"Don't move or talk Ryouga all of your ribs are broken," Hishizuka said 
with a chilly demeanor that not even Ryouga ignored.

However, Ryouga's lack of movement didn't stop him from giving Hishizuka a 
scornful look.

"You know what Ryouga if you don't can your asinine attitude I might decide 
not to cure you ... or worse," Hishizuka said with all the warmth of a 
black hole.

Ryouga's only response was to look panicked ... extremely panicked. 
Especially since, he knew what she had done to Genma.

"After you have healed you must tell Akane of your curse and except any 
punishment she sees fit to give you then and only then will I cure you," 
Hishizuka said before getting up and leaving.

***************************

Back at the Tendo dojo we find Ranma and Ranko playing by the koi pond 
watching this scene Akane only smiled before frowning and walking off 
towards her sisters room once there she knocked and Nabiki allowed her to 
enter. However once Nabiki saw her sister's low mood she immediately closed 
the door and sat her sister down on her bed.

"Sis are you okay," Nabiki asked. 

"I don't know," Akane replied with a looking uncertain of herself.

"This about the other day," Nabiki asked while sounding and looking very 
nervous.

Akane only nodded in reply before laying back on her sister's bed. "You 
know how much I hate being called a tomboy. I never understood why until 
the other day and even then it didn't really hit me until the instant 
nannichuan wore off. There was no pain or anything when it happened but it 
felt horrible ... like I was losing a piece of myself that I had just 
discovered," Akane explained shocking her sister immensely.

"kami-sama you're not thinking of doing what I think you're thinking of 
doing," Nabiki said in a very shaky voice.

"Yes and I want you to make sure Ranma doesn't interfere ... if I know him 
he won't like it," Akane said as she sat up.

"Listen I don't like it," Nabiki replied with genuine anger.

"I know but I also know you won't interfere in anything I really want to do 
that's why you've been sabotaging everything for the past year right," 
Akane said causing her sister to blush bright red.

"Yeah you're right," Nabiki replied before looking out her window and 
continuing, "and as long as you really want this I won't stand in your 
way."

"Thanks sis," Akane replied before leaving.

She never saw the tears streaming down Nabiki's face as the middle Tendo 
sister thought, 'I hope you're not ruining your life Akane I really do.'

****************

Elsewhere in Nerima, the ancient Tendo matriarch senses a certain an aged 
pervert and smiled like a Panther approaching its prey.

A hundred or so yards away, the pervert in question was on one of his usual 
groping runs blissfully unaware of the danger that was approaching him. 

Therefore, three minutes later the ancient pervert gropes onto a woman he 
found had tremendous power. However, that fact registered too late as was 
apparent when he found himself in cased in an energy shield before being 
levitated to the woman's eye level. Gulping nervously Happosai spoke, 
"funny meeting you here Madame RelOrt."

Smiling as sweetly as Kasumi Hishizuka replied, "yes quite funny," before 
saying something in an ancient language.

***************

Back at the dojo, Ranma and Ranko's playtime was interrupted by a blinding 
flash of light.

"I wonder what I was," Ranko commented.

"Felt like Mrs. T. fired off some kind of spell," Ranma commented before 
being tickle attacked by Ranko.

Meanwhile in the tearoom Genma who looked way beyond mad sat playing shoji 
however, the glass of water that sat nearby was the embodiment of a promise 
that anything he said would end in a manner that he considered worse than 
death.

Nodoka on the other hand just smiled as she watched her son and newfound 
daughter and smiled as widely as she could without looking like a maniac.

**************

However, earlier at the Kunou manner one Tatewaki Kunou contemplated what 
he had seen at the Tendo dojo the previous day before picking up his 
bokutou and heading for said dojo.

***************

'Well that takes care of that pervert," Hishizuka commented as she watched 
Happosai fall a dimensional rift into a dimension that the aged pervert 
would consider a worse fate than death ... far far worse than death.

****************

Back at the Tendo dojo, Ranma and Ranko's playtime was interrupted when to 
Tatewaki Kunou jumped over the dojo's perimeter wall.

Growling as he stepped in front of Ranko whom Kunou had already decided was 
his pigtailed girl from the events of the previous day Ranma said, "what do 
you want Kunou."

"Who is she really Saotome," Kunou asked while sounding a bit nervous.

"My sister Ranko," Ranma answered.

Kunou's response to this was to pale considerably before turning around and 
leaving in the same manner he arrived. Once he was a fair distance away 
from the dojo Kunou stopped and promptly lost his lunch. 'Gods I've been a 
fool the resemblance is uncanny and all of this time he hasn't been a foul 
sorcerer at all but protecting his sister from me and my advances like an 
honorable sibling should. I must begin preparing a proper repentance for 
what I have said against him.'

****************

Elsewhere in Nerima, we find Cologne absently cooking ramen when her great 
granddaughter entered from the main room. 

Looking rather nervous Shampoo said, "Great grandmother Mrs. Tendo here."

Cologne's reply to this was to look rather nervous herself before telling 
her great granddaughter to continue making the ramen after which she exited 
to the main room where she found the ancient Tendo matriarch looking at the 
menu. "So what do we owe the honor of your visit honored Magi," Cologne 
said while looking very nervous.

"I was hungry," Hishizuka, replied from behind the menu relieving Cologne 
greatly until that is Hishizuka continued, "and I wish to know what 
reparations you will be making for what you have done while you were here."

Cologne's response to that was to pale considerably. "I will have to think 
about it," Cologne finely managed to say after recovering somewhat.

"Good," Hishizuka said with a slightly icy edge to her voice before 
ordering lunch.

*****************

Later that day after the sun had set and dinner had been eaten Ranma hopped 
onto the roof and began staring up at the sky only to be joined by 
Hishizuka. "Hia," Ranma said well sounding happy.

"You certainly sound chipper," Hishizuka replied as she sat down next to 
Ranma before adding, "much to your father's chagrin I'm sure."

Ranma's only reply to that was a laugh and a nod. "I don't think I've ever 
felt this good," Ranma said after a few moments of laughing.

"So where are you going to go in your head tonight," Hishizuka asked off 
handedly.

"My knowledge base I want to see how big it is compared to how big my 
superego was," Ranma replied before looking slightly annoyed. "The only 
problem is I'm to excited to even take a nap right now," Ranma added.

Giggling dryly Hishizuka waved her hand over Ranma while whispering 
something in an ancient language, which instantly caused Ranma to fall 
asleep. Smiling Hishizuka brushed a stray strand of hair away from Ranma's 
face before saying, "you are a truly interesting character Ranma," before 
hearing Akane call her.

*****************

[Knowledge]

As Ranma looked around, he found himself looking at an absolutely huge 
library however; the library grounds were littered with books, scrolls, and 
various other forms of knowledge. Looking at this Ranma knew intrinsically 
something was wrong after all such items belonged on the shelves in the 
library and not laying around on the ground. After scratching his head for 
a while, Ranma walked into the library where he found a large library cart 
along with a doppelganger of himself sitting behind the library's main desk 
wearing a thick pair of glasses.

"Why are all of those books laying around outside," Ranma demanded of the 
librarian version of himself.

"They have not been properly cataloged or deposited," the doppelganger 
replied as he pushed up his glasses. "If you wish to make a deposit you 
must use that chute over there," the librarian Ranma added while pointing 
at a library chute labeled 'deposits'.

Ranma's reply to this was to look annoyed before walking off into the 
library dreading the fact he would have to manually haul everything into 
the library and drop it in the deposit chute. However as Ranma walked the 
marbled corridors of his mental library finding that all of the shelves 
were empty or only had one or two books and/or scrolls on them Ranma 
realized that he should really should just get started. However, a nagging 
feeling kept that telling him that there should be an easier way. His exact 
thoughts were along the lines of a conveyor belt a large conveyor belt. 
However considering he could find none in the library Ranma just began to 
work but as he stepped outside, he found a huge conveyor belt waiting. 
Ranma's only comment to this was to shrug his shoulders and get to work.

****************

After an unknown amount of work, Ranma finely finished cleaning up every 
scrap of mental paper around the library.

Smiling with satisfaction Ranma headed back into main library lobby where 
he asked his doppelganger how long it would take to get everything on the 
shelves. The doppelganger replied by fainting considered how overworked he 
already was. Ranma replied by scratching his head and shrugging his 
shoulders before relaxing himself. Several hours later the library and 
doppelganger awoke and said, "It will take several months," before again 
collapsing. Ranma's reply to that was a 'oh' before leaving the library and 
willing himself to wake up.

[Nabiki's folly]

As Ranma awoke on the roof, he heard Soun wailing at Tsunami force. 
Unusually this made Ranma feel sick to his stomach as if he knew something 
bad had happened while he was napping. After jumping off the roof and 
entering the tea room Ranma found; Soun wailing, Nabiki looking rather 
miffed, Nodoka looking rather confused, Genma was in housewife form and so 
was dusting everything in site.

"What's going on?" Ranma finely asked while noting Hishizuka and Akane were 
not present.

Hearing this question Soun upped the force of his wailing while Nabiki 
rolled her eyes and Nodoka just bit her lip nervously.

Ranma's question was answered in a most definite way when Akane-kun entered 
the room. Ranma's response to this was to look shaken while his eyes asked 
the question of 'why'.

Akane-kun only replied by shrugging his shoulders and sitting down. Ranma's 
reply to that was to walk off to the training hall where he found Hishizuka 
looking out the window of the training hall. Hishizuka's response to 
Ranma's entry into the training hall was to say something in her native 
ancient tongue before providing a translation, "it means you have to let 
children choose their own path. My father told me that long ago and its 
validity has not changed over the millennia but it still doesn't make 
things any easier for you does it Ranma."

Ranma's response to Hishizuka's short speech was to shake his head had sit 
down on the training hall floor. Hishizuka's reply to that was to walk out 
of the training hall this left Ranma with a single thought of why.

Back in the tearoom, however Hishizuka had just pulled Akane-kun aside and 
whispered something in his ear Akane-kun's response was to nod and walk off 
to the training hall where he found Ranma sitting on the floor. "I guess I 
owe you an explanation."

******************

Later that day, we find Ranma-chan walking along the streets of Nerima 
absentmindedly kicking a can while looking rather pissed off.

As the buxom redhead continued to walk down the street, the only sound she 
made was a low growling mumble, which did not go unnoticed by Ukyou who had 
just noticed her friend.

"You okay Ran-chan," Ukyou asked causing Ranma-chan's attention to be drawn 
away from her brooding.

After calming herself visibly and sighing deeply Ranma-chan's only reply 
was to shake her head before finely saying, "No I am most definitely not 
okay."

"Do you want to talk about it," Ukyou asked while sounding concerned for 
her friend.

Ranma-chan's reply was given in her usual gruff manner, "Yeah sure why 
not."

That said the two began to walk along the streets of Nerima absently 
watching the sun set. Once it had done so Ranma-chan spoke, "a couple of 
days ago Akane used some instant Nannichuan."

"Yeah I know it wasn't exactly hard to recognize Akane when 'he' showed up 
but what's the matter all that's done and gone ... right," Ukyou said 
before noticing the pained look on Ranma-chan's face.

"No Akane had her mother make it permanent," Ranma-chan said as tears 
started to silently stream down her face. "She gave me some cockamamie 
reason about how it made her feel complete or something but even I'm smart 
enough to know that was a line of bull shit," Ranma-chan added almost 
immediately before punching a convenient concrete wall into dust.

Ukyou wisely just let Ranma-chan run down before approaching her.

"It's my Damm fault I'm the one that suggested she use the instant 
Nannichuan the other day," Ranma-chan said as she began to break down and 
sob while angrily crushing pieces of concrete in her hands' like they were 
chalk.

Ukyou's response to this was to pull her friend into a supportive embrace 
before leading her over to a nearby bench.

Watching this seen from the shadows was Nabiki who was still quite angry 
about what Akane had done to herself. However, upon seeing that Ranma truly 
thought her sister's decision was his fault Nabiki's emotions became 
jumbled. After a moment of thought, Nabiki had a truly odd thought about 
the pigtailed martial artist. That thought was, 'does he really blame 
himself for everything that happens around here. The gods know everyone 
blames him for everything that happens in this ward but he can't honestly 
believe it's really all his fault ... can he?'

With that, thought concluded Nabiki left and returned to the dojo where she 
began to review all of her files on Ranma.

*******************

Late that night we find the most unlikely of persons sitting on the roof of 
the Tendo dojo looking up at the night sky.

"Hungry dear," Hishizuka said as she hopped up on the roof with a tray of 
snacks.

"No for some reason I'm not particularly hungry," Nabiki answered before 
turning her attention back to the sky above and continuing, "he honestly 
believes that everything is his fault you know that."

"Yes I know and everyone blaming him for everything doesn't help matters 
much. However he doesn't really realize that he does blame himself for 
everything," was Hishizuka's reply as she munched on a piece of watermelon.

Nabiki's response to this was to bow her head as a look of shame developed 
on her face, "all of this time I was just trying to protect her ... I never 
really thought about Ranma as a person only as an obstacle to my sister's 
happiness. I always thought he was just an idiot and a jerk but his life 
has been so screwed up by his father and lack of a mother that I don't 
really know what to think of him anymore."

A few moments later Nabiki climbed off the roof mumbling something about 
wondering what kind of damage Ranma's father had really done to him.

"Nabiki dear you have no idea what problems Ranma has had nor do you want 
to know," Hishizuka thought aloud while sounding rather solemn.

**********

Meanwhile at the bottom of the ladder Nabiki had used to climb all the roof 
of the dojo. Nabiki had just heard what her mother had said about Ranma and 
so took only 3 seconds to decide to head to the cat café and enlist the 
help of a certain purple haired Amazon in finding out exactly what Ranma's 
past was like.

***********

Later we find Nabiki stealthily walking to the cat café when she 
encountered a familiar purple cat who looked very indignant as she dragged 
her dress along.

"Just the buxom Amazon I wanted to talk to," Nabiki said with her trademark 
grin before picking up the cat and the cat's dress and walking off with the 
intention to find some hot water.

*****************

Later in a deserted alley, some distance away from the cat café Nabiki 
pours the hot water she had retrieved onto shampoo's feline form causing 
her to revert into her human form.

"What mercenary want," shampoo asked while sounding rather annoyed as she 
also put on her dress.

"I want to know exactly what Ranma's past was like," Nabiki stated flatly.

"Why not ask mother to help," shampoo asked rather quizzically.

"Because my mother doesn't want me to know what Ranma's past was like," 
Nabiki responded in such away that guaranteed shampoo's curiosity would be 
aroused.

"Shampoo not know if shampoo should help," shampoo responded.

Raising an eyebrow Nabiki commented, "Oh come on shampoo you can't 
seriously tell me you're not interested in finding out what's in Ranma's 
head."

Shampoo's reply to this was to look like the proverbial curious cat before 
saying, "shampoo go get magic to look inside Ranma mind."

As shampoo snuck back to the cat café Nabiki smiled and thought, 'she's as 
easy as ever to manipulate.'

However, as shampoo snuck back to the cat café her thoughts revealed the 
Amazons ulterior motive, 'while Nabiki is looking at Ranma's memories I can 
truly find out why Ranma picked Akane over me.'

*****************

Later that night at midnight to be precise shampoo and Nabiki returned to 
the dojo with a spell scroll and an ancient looking artifact that looked 
like an eye. Stealthily the two made there way to where Ranma slept once 
there shampoo used a sleeping powder to insure Ranma would not awaken as 
they moved him out of the room and into Nabiki's bedroom where shampoo 
began to use the spell scroll and artifact which would enable Nabiki and 
herself to enter Ranma's mind and memories.

******************

Meanwhile in another part of the dojo Hishizuka had just woken up in a cold 
sweat. After regaining her composure, Hishizuka scanned the dojo. Two 
seconds later her eyes narrowed in shock and fear as she muttered, "mana 
protect them," before getting up and snapping her fingers in order to 
clothe herself. After another moment, Hishizuka sighed deeply and walked up 
to, Nabiki's room where she found what she feared.

Ranma lay on Nabiki's bed with an artifact Hishizuka knew of all too well.

That artifact was the silver minds eye sapphire.

Visually scanning the room Hishizuka first found shampoo out cold in the 
corner; scanning her with a quick sweep of her hand Hishizuka a let out a 
sigh of relief as she found nothing wrong with a girl. However, when she 
scanned Nabiki Hishizuka found her daughter was not so lucky considering 
she was now linked to Ranma's mind via the silver minds eye sapphire. 

"Nabiki you fool you don't realize what you've done to your self," 
Hishizuka said as a few tears streamed down her face.

After composing herself once again, Hishizuka used her magic to break the 
link. She knew however, the damage had all ready been done and so silently 
began to clean up the mess her daughter had made. First, she wiped 
shampoo's memories of the night before teleporting the Amazon away. Second, 
she scanned Ranma for any damage finding none Hishizuka transported Ranma 
back to his room. Third Hishizuka began to clean up as much of the mess the 
silver minds eye sapphire had created as she could. However, the ancient 
Magi knew all too well that her daughter would never be the same again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Memories not her own swirled around Nabiki Tendo: Memories too dark to 
comprehend, too vile to wish upon anyone, memories so painful that they 
would drive all but the strongest insane in an instant, and lastly fear; a 
million fears all powerful enough to rip the soul asunder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the morning dawned upon the Tendo dojo, the serene piece was shattered 
by a soul piercing screamed.

Approximately 3 seconds later, everyone in the Tendo dojo had piled into 
Nabiki's room where Hishizuka was quietly tending to her daughter who was 
restrained with a magical spell to prevent her from hurting herself.

"What's wrong with her," Akane asked.

"She was foolish enough to use this," Hishizuka replied as she pointed to 
the silver minds eye sapphire.

"And what the hell is that," Ranma asked.

"The silver minds eye sapphire," Hishizuka said simply before continuing, 
"it was originally created to punish criminals with the horrific memories 
and terrible fear they inflicted on those that they committed their crimes 
against. Because of this the memories that it allows one to glimpse are 
skewed and amplified towards the dark, vile, and painful while the fears 
that are glimpsed are amplified a hundred fold."

"And who did Nabiki use this thing on," Ranma asked while sounding as if he 
already suspected the answer.

"You Ranma," Hishizuka answered as she adjusted the washcloth on Nabiki's 
forehead.

Ranma's response to this was to pale considerably before leaving the room 
along with Nodoka and Genma.

"Will she be okay," Kasumi asked.

"If you're asking if she will ever be the same again Kasumi. no she will 
not," Hishizuka answered before getting up and leaving but not before 
telling Soun to tend to Nabiki.

*************

As Hishizuka stepped outside, she noticed that Genma had just been punted 
over the horizon by Ranma. Hishizuka's only comment to this was to mentally 
guess that Genma had made a colossally dumb comment.

"Damn it," Ranma cursed while Nodoka stood nearby not knowing what to say 
or do.

However, Hishizuka did as was apparent when she put her hand on Ranma 
shoulder and spoke simply and reassuringly, "it's not your fault Ranma she 
did what she did completely on her own."

These words of reassurance however did little to console Ranma as was 
apparent when he brushed Hishizuka away and left the dojo looking rather 
angry. Hishizuka's only response to this was to shake her head before 
returning to Nabiki's room and ordering everyone out. After which Hishizuka 
starts chanting a complex spell and when she finished her middle daughter 
was encased in a crystal like energy bubble.

"The recovery crystal is all I can do for you Nabiki. Hopefully you can 
bear what you have done to your self for a long enough time that the 
memories you stole from Ranma will fade away," Hishizuka said sadly before 
exiting her daughter's room and sealing it magically.

After Hishizuka finished the spell to seal the room she turned around to 
face Ranko her other two daughters as well as Soun and Nodoka.

"Time will tell," Hishizuka responded sadly.

**************

Later that day we find Ranma brooding under his favorite bridge when Ranko 
sat down next to him.

"I hope you really do know what Nabiki did wasn't your fault," Ranko said 
in a blunt manner.

"How can't it be my fault," Ranma answered.

Looking slightly annoyed Ranko replied, "Did you force her to do what she 
did?"

"No of course not," Ranma replied while looking noticeably annoyed.

"Then what do you have to blame your self for," Ranko replied.

"They were my memories Ranko," Ranma replied.

"I know remember I have those memories as well," Ranko said before 
continuing, "...but also remember the memories Nabiki viewed were tainted 
and skewed."

"You have my memories," Ranma asked while sounding extremely surprised and 
concerned.

"Yep they're not exactly clear or anything but they're there," Ranko 
responded with a nod before getting up and adding one last thing before 
leaving, "Ranma please believe me when I tell you it's not your fault."

"..." was Ranma's only reply as his hands clenched into fists. 

*****************

Later that day we find two girls in school uniforms walking down the 
streets of Nerima. The first girl was dressed in a St. Bacchus uniform 
while the second was dressed in a Furinkan high uniform. The first girl's 
other distinguishing features were her height which was tall by Japanese 
standards but still short compared to Ranma and the usual gang of crazies 
she also had thick but somehow elegant looking glasses. In addition, the 
girl had long silver gray hair and her stride was that of someone that was 
confident and graceful, lastly the girl's deep sapphire blue eyes showed a 
great deal of intelligence that was completely at her disposal. The second 
girl that was dressed in the Furinkan high uniform had light black hair 
that bordered on being brown and black eyes that had the odd brown streak 
scattered throughout which had the odd effect of outlining her pupils in a 
most unusual way. Other than those two features, the girl looked completely 
normal and could blend into any crowd without notice.

"I still say it sucks Ami I mean ALL our clothes but these uniforms were 
destroyed," the second girl said while sounding extremely annoyed.

"There's no sense in complaining about it Rei-kun," Ami said rather roughly 
as she adjusted her glasses.

"Easy for you to say your family's wealthier than the Kunou's are and has 
several times the social status," Rei replied.

"The latter is not THAT much of an accomplishment Rei-kun considering the 
Kunou families' insanity," Ami replied before seeing Ranma-chan who did not 
look like she was in a good mod sitting on a park bench. "Isn't that Ranma 
Saotome the girl that beet Kodachi Kunou last year," Ami said in a rather 
clinical tone of voice

"Hmm yeah but," Rei replied while knowing all too well that Ranma was a boy.

"...but what," Ami queried.

"Hmm well Ranma usually isn't a girl ... at least when he can help it that 
is," Rei replied while looking rather confused.

"I must admit she is quite tall and strong and has abs most men would kill 
for but with that bust line she is most certainly female," Ami replied 
while looking a bit annoyed.

"Ranma has a magical curse that changes him into a girl when he gets 
splashed by cold water and he changes back into a guy when he gets splashed 
by hot water," Rei replied while looking slightly miffed.

Looking unconvinced Ami replied, "Magic eh."

"Look I'm telling the truth I've seen it happen with my own eyes more times 
than I can count," Rei said in a huff.

"I'm not saying I don't believe you Rei-kun but I'm not saying I do believe 
you either," Ami answered before walking towards Ranma-chan with the 
obvious intent of introducing herself much to Rei's obvious terror.

"Hay hay you just can't walk off and introduce yourself to one of the most 
powerful human beings on the planet," Rei said as she tried to stop her 
friend from moving closer to Ranma-chan but to no avail.

As Ami sat down next to Ranma-chan she asked, "my friend here says that you 
are really a man under a magical curse is this true," Ami asked in her 
usual rough manner quite similar to how Ranma spoke albeit slightly more 
elegant.

Raising an eyebrow at the girl's mode of speech and frontness Ranma-chan 
replied only by nodding before turning away.

Rei who had been hiding behind Ami let out a sigh of relief while thanking 
the Kami that Ranma-chan hadn't blown them both away with some kind of 
energy wave the instant Ami asked her question.

"So what's got you so pissed off," Ami asked causing Rei to freak out and 
find a new hiding place underneath the bench while really expecting to be 
vaporized in the next few seconds.

Ranma-chan's reply to this was to sigh and try to explain what Nabiki had 
done.

Raising an eye Ami decided not to comment on the use of magic before she 
said, "Ranma I don't see what the problem is as far as you you've told us 
you're completely innocent of any or wrongdoing."

Looking slightly miffed Ranma-chan replied, "They were my memories and 
those memories are my responsibility."

"No argument there but you're not responsible for someone that goes poking 
around in your head without your permission," Ami said before adding, "I 
mean come on you should be angry at her for what she did after all 
something like that would be worse than getting raped."

Ranma-chan's only reply was to blink as she studied girl who managed to be 
more abrasive then herself without seeming to really trying to be. A moment 
later, however Ranma-chan turned away, looked up at the sky, and asked a 
simple question. "why not ... why isn't it my responsibility."

"Hmm well legally it's your only responsible for something if you where 
directly responsible for what ever happened or if through inaction allowed 
something to happen that you could have stopped through your actions," Rei 
answered from underneath the bench where she had been hiding. "...and from 
what you've told us Nabiki and whoever gave her the artifact are legally 
liable for what happened to you and themselves," Rei added as she climbed 
out of her hiding place and hid behind Ami.

'So even the law says I'm not responsible but something deep down still 
tells me I am,' Ranma-chan thought before getting up and walking off 
leaving Rei to breathe a great sigh of relief and Ami to shrug her 
shoulders.

*********************

Meanwhile back at the Tendo dojo we find Akane-kun quietly practicing by 
the koi pond while Ranko sat nearby watching.

"Ranko," Nodoka said as she stepped outside.

"Yeah what," Ranko asked.

"Well school begins in about a week or so and you do realize that you're 
going to have to attend," Nodoka of explained.

"Yep," Ranko replied nonchalantly leaving Nodoka to blink and scratch her 
head before walking off.

*********************

Meanwhile in another part of Nerima we find Ranma-chan walking along 
absently wondering why the two girls from earlier were following her as she 
also thought about what Nabiki had done.

'she did act on her own,' Ranma-chan thought before thinking about what the 
second of the two girls that was following herself said about being legally 
responsible for something. 'I'm only responsible for something if I was 
directly responsible for what ever happened or through inaction allowed 
something to happen that I could have stopped through my action. ... I 
guess that's right it's certainly sounds right'

A few yards away however we find Ami and Rei following Ranma.

"I still say we shouldn't be following Ranma it's dangerous extremely 
dangerous to follow someone whose enemies can punch holes through concrete 
walls and bullets are no more annoying than mosquitoes," Rei said while 
sounding extremely nervous.

Ami's only reply to this was to roll her eyes before Kunou appeared and 
pronounced his undying love to Ranma-chan. 0.5 seconds later Kunou found 
himself impacted it a convenient concrete embankment which then collapsed 
on top of him.

Ami's response to this was to develop her first ever jaw drop considering 
Ranma-chan had done what she had done with a single punch that even she 
could tell was casual.

"See I told you so I told you so," Rei said while starting to sound 
panicked.

"Wow Ranma really is as powerful as you said she was," Ami finely commented 
after recovering.

Rei's only reply to this was to look very annoyed before Ami noticed Ranma-
chan had entered a nearby ice cream parlor.

****************

However as Ami and Rei entered the ice cream parlor they could not find the 
pigtailed martial artist. Ami's response to this was an annoyed huff while 
muttering, "Damn she vanished."

Ranma-chan who had hid behind the door of the ice cream parlor chose that 
moment to speak, "and who vanished". Rei's response to Ranma-chan's reply 
was to jump behind Ami. Ami for her part had a good grace to look sheepish 
however before she could even formulate a good excuse Ranma-chan added, 
"don't bother making up and excuse I know you two have been following me."

Ami's reply to this was to sigh and say, "So how long did you know we were 
following you."

Raising an eyebrow Ranma-chan replied, "Try all along."

Ami's reply to this was to look very sheepish and suddenly feel hot under 
the color, "but how."

"Ranma's a superpowered martial artist Ami he can since you from a mile 
away," Rei said from her hiding spot behind Ami.

"Yeah right," Ami commented with a snort.

"Well I can," Ranma-chan replied calmly.

Raising an eyebrow quite high Ami replied, "I find that highly unlikely."

"Believe what you want to I know what my skills are," Ranma-chan replied 
before sitting down and ordering a chocolate parfait.

Sitting down next to Ranma-chan and ordering a blueberry sundae Ami replied, 
"I'm not saying I don't believe you I'm saying I find it highly unlikely."

"...And what's that supposed to mean," Ranma-chan asked curiously.

"I'm saying if you could give me proof that you can do what you say I will 
believe you," Ami replied in a rather clinical tone of voice.

Shrugging Ranma-chan replied with a simple, "ok I'll prove it to you ... 
but it'll have to wait till after I have my ice cream."

"No argument there," Ami replied before turning to Rei and asking, "So what 
are you going to have Rei."

Rei who was still cowering just ordered an ice cream cone.

Later after the ice cream had been consumed, Ami had formulated a test for 
Ranma-chan, which consisted simply of tracking Rei through the streets of 
Nerima with nothing but Ranma's alleged sixth sense.

Needless to say, Rei was not pleased by this and so ran off.

Ami's reply to this was to smile and say, "...and so it begins."

**************

Later we find Rei walking through the streets of Nerima alone looking 
extremely nervous.

A few blocks away we find Ami and Ranma-chan walking along casually.

"..." was all Ami said as Ranma-chan walked along seeming to know exactly 
where she was going.

"Hmm," Ranma-chan commented before smiling and making an abrupt turn.

Seeing this Ami raised an eyebrow as she followed. Five or so minutes later 
Ranma-chan stopped and sat down on a convenient bench.

Smirking Ami commented, "So did you lose her."

"Naa," Ranma replied as she pointed down the street where Rei had just 
rounded a corner and was trying to decide which direction to head in next 
however upon seeing Ranma-chan and Ami, Rei ran off at a high rate of speed.

"Hmm interesting but you'll have to do that 9 more times before I believe 
you completely," Ami said while sounding interested. 

Ranma-chan's only reply was to shrug her shoulders and return to tracking 
Rei.

A few minutes later Ranma-chan asked, "So do you go to the same school as 
Kodachi Kunou?"

A rather dark yes was Ami's reply. "So why did you pond Kunou into that 
wall?"

Raising an eyebrow Ranma-chan replied, "If you could pound Kunou into wall 
like that wouldn't you."

"Point," Ami replied before the two continued on their way.

***************

An hour or so later Ranma-chan finds Rei hiding in a convenience store.

"Ahhhkk!!" Rei screamed as she fled.

"Is she always like that?" Ranma asked.

"When it comes to anyone that knows martial arts yes it's like she expects 
anyone that knows how to throw a punch to be able to punch through a 
concrete wall like it was nothing," Ami replied.

"Well most of the martial artist's at Furinkan can at least put a dent in 
one," Ranma-chan replied.

A rather dry 'oh' was Ami's reply before the two continued the hunt.

***************

Another half an hour after that Rei was found hiding in the bathroom of a 
fast food restaurant.

"Damn!!" Rei said as she fled once more.

"So what kind of crazies go to Furinkan," Ami asked as she exited the 
bathroom with Ranma-chan.

"Hum well first there's Kunou which I'm sure you already know about...." 
was Ranma-chan starting point of the story of crazies that inhabited 
Furinkan high.

****************

Fifteen, or so, minutes after that it was a video arcade.

"Good I got out of their without either of them noticing me," Rei said as 
she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mhh... now I wouldn't say that," Ranma-chan said from behind Rei, which 
caused her to jump and run off at extremely high rate of speed.

Laughing lightly Ami commented, "She really needs to cut down on the 
caffeine."

"No argument there..." Ranma-chan said before abruptly stopping as she 
realized she hadn't caught the girl's name she had been talking to for the 
past hour or so. "Hay what's your name anyhow," Ranma-chan, asked to which 
Ami replied by giving her name as the two continued on their way.

*****************

Another 20 or so minutes after that it was a shop that sold manga and 
American comic books.

"..." was all Rei said as she hid behind a Magna hoping Ranma-chan and Ami 
would not notice her as they walked by.

"Hmm I never knew you where into such hentai manga Rei," Ami said from 
behind Rei causing her to freak out and run off and Ami to laugh while 
Ranma-chan just shook her head.

****************

25 or so minutes later Rei was found up a tree in the park.

'They'll never find me up here,' the Rei thought to herself before hearing 
a light rustle behind her. Rei's reply to this was to nervously look out of 
the corner of her eye where she found Ranma-chan smiling. 

2.8 seconds later Ami who had a devilish smile on her face watched Rei run 
off at a high rate of speed.

"So what kind of crazies besides Kodachi are there at your school," Ranma-
chan asked as she hopped out of the tree.

"Hmm let me think about that," Ami replied as the two continued to walk 
along.

*****************

18 minutes after that she was found hiding back at the ice cream parlor.

'Ok I'm sure Ranma will never think of checking back here,' Rei said as she 
sat down.

"Mhh now I wouldn't say that," Ranma-chan said from behind Rei causing her 
to jump nearly a yard into the air before scurrying off.

Laughing slightly Ami commented, "Well at least she's getting her exercise 
today."

Ranma-chan's replied to that was to roll her eyes.

*****************

A half an hour after that it was under a bridge that ran over one of the 
numerous drainage canals in Nerima.

Breathing heavily Rei decided to spend only another minute catching her 
breath before continuing on and one she did so the scene pans up to reveal 
Ami and Ranma-chan who had been waiting patiently on top of the bridge for 
Rei to leave.

******************

10 minutes thereafter, it was a construction site.

"Now this is the perfect hiding place with all this heavy equipment around 
I'm sure Ranma won't be able to sense me," Rei said to herself

"Now what makes you think a few thousand tons of steel will stop me from 
sensing you Rei," Ranma-chan replied as she poked her head around the 
corner.

Predictably, Rei's response was to run off.

*****************

...and lastly, Rei was found at Nerima's largest clothing store.

"So believe me now," Ranma-chan asked as she and Ami watched Rei from a far.

Ami's only reply was a nod as she watched her friend who was about ready to 
keel over.

"Good. Well see you later," Ranma-chan replied dryly before leaving.

*****************

Later back at the Tendo dojo Ranma returns home absently thinking of Ami 
and her challenge about his skills and decides to find out if skills were 
something that lost with in him.

[Skills]

As Ranma looked around his mind if found himself not at his minds eye Tendo 
dojo but in a seemingly endless field of training halls; Looking at a 
nearby training hall's nameplate, which read ki sense.

"Hmm each hall must represent a skill," Ranma said thoughtfully before 
beginning to walk around noting each skill rather distractedly as well as 
the general lay of the land however fifteen or so minutes later Ranma 
noticed something quite disturbing about the ground and the training halls 
he saw in the distance. Upon closer inspection, Ranma found that the ground 
abruptly became completely sterile and almost sand like while the training 
halls were on the verge of collapse. Looking disgusted Ranma picked up a 
nameplate out of the rubble of one of the training halls that had 
completely collapsed only to find he couldn't read it but not from lack of 
quality of whatever writing, he was looking at.

"It's in the language of the mind Ranma and you won't know what it says 
until you discover what that skill is," Hishizuka said as she walked up to 
Ranma.

"Do you know why the soil is so sterile around here," Ranma asked to which 
Hishizuka only nodded.

"But I'm not going to tell you what causes it," Hishizuka said before 
vanishing.

"..." was all Ranma said in reply as he gave the spot Hishizuka had just 
occupied a dirty glare. "Oh well this is my mind I guess I do have to clean 
up by myself," Ranma finely said before starting to look around for some 
evidence of what was wrong. 

30 or so minutes later however all Ranma had found was more sterile ground 
and dilapidated and collapsing training halls.

Looking fairly annoyed Ranma sat down at precisely the point the soil 
became sterile and started to dig with his hands. What he found underneath 
the topsoil was perfectly normal clay like soil. 

"So it's the topsoil that's the problem," Ranma commented as he absently 
took a handful of the sandy sterile soil. "...but that still doesn't 
explain the training halls. Then again maybe it does after all my mind has 
got to be one of the weirdest places in the universe."

"You give yourself too much credit Ranma although I will admit this melon 
of your is a bit weird even my standards," Hishizuka said from atop a 
nearby training hall where she was lying on her stomach, hands on her chin, 
while one bare foot scratched her upper back in a display of how limber the 
Tendo matriarch was.

"So are you going to give me any help?"

"Why you're doing fine so far," Hishizuka quipped as she smiled 
mischievously as she vanished like the Cheshire cat.

'Well I now know where Nabiki got her mischievous streak from,' Ranma 
thought to himself rather darkly before getting and continuing to look 
around.

Several minutes later Ranma however, he decided that he needed to get an 
overview of the area around him and so jumped up onto one of the training 
halls however he quickly found that that vantage point was not high enough.

"Damm I need a higher vantage point," Ranma muttered.

"How high exactly," Hishizuka said from nearby.

"High enough to see everything," Ranma said in reply before he was rocketed 
high above the training halls in an instant. "Whoa," was Ranma's only 
comment as he stopped in mid air. "Well now that I'm up here," Ranma 
commented before surveying landscape below him to find into innumerable 
amount of training hall's most of which were dilapidated. "This place is in 
really bad shape," Ranma commented rather dryly before noticing a house 
amongst all of the training halls. Smiling Ranma commented, "now where 
getting somewhere. Now how am I going to get down there?"

Ranma's question was answered a second later as he found himself rocketing 
towards the house. Predictably, the pigtailed martial artist landed in the 
koi pond of that house.

Looking in no particular direction Ranma commented, "You did that on 
purpose didn't you?"

The only response Ranma received was a light laugh very mischievous giggle.

Rolling his eyes Ranma started exploring the house only to find it 
primarily empty of everything except for things that had to do with martial 
arts. Sitting down in one of the few chairs in the entire house Ranma shed 
a silent tear. "Is this all I am?"

"At this time yes," Hishizuka answered as she appeared in a nearby chair.

Sighing deeply Ranma looked around before getting up and heading to the 
last part of the house he hadn't explored, the basement. What he found 
there was a myriad of weapons stabbed into a vast root system.

"I'm guessing this isn't normal," Ranma commented redundantly as Hishizuka 
entered behind him.

"Well most people have one or two blockages in this area of their mind but 
this is way beyond ridiculous," Hishizuka said as she leaned against the 
doorframe of the basement door.

"Why weapons?" Ranma asked himself. "...and what's up with the roots."

With those questions, asked Ranma began examining the roots and the weapons. 
As he did this, he quickly found that the roots had been severely wounded 
wherever they had been chopped, hacked, impacted, impaled, or otherwise 
harmed by a weapon. In addition, Ranma noticed that all of the blood from 
the roots had dried completely long ago. With a bit of hesitation Ranma 
grabbed onto the handle of a broadsword and pulled it out of the taproot it 
had been impaled into. This of course caused the wound caused by the sword 
to start bleeding again. Ranma of course panicked at the site of blood 
literally squirting out of the root at firehose pressure and volume.

"Let it bleed Ranma its better that it does," Hishizuka said as she put a 
hand on Ranma shoulder while telekinetically removing every other weapon 
from the root system.

This caused the basement to literally start flooding with blood however 
with a wave of her hand Hishizuka and Ranma were teleported out of the 
basement and high above the house where they soon saw the blood from the 
basement flooding the area. As this happened Ranma saw, the sterile soil 
spring to life and the training halls rebuild themselves.

Later after the flood had stopped, the two found themselves by a training 
hall that had rebuild itself. 

"It's still in that weird writing," Ranma commented as he looked at the 
training hall's nameplate.

"As I said before Ranma you have to find how to what this skill is before 
you able to read it."

"So all I've done is rebuild the training halls."

"Yes and that will allow you to discover what your skills are. Now come on 
we should be going."

"I suppose," Ranma replied rather distractedly.

Seeing how distracted Ranma was Hishizuka decided to place a hand on his 
shoulder.

"Why?"

"Because all your life has been up until this point is martial arts. *sighs 
deeply* have you ever heard the old saying 'a man cannot live by bread 
alone'?"

"Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Just as your body cannot live by one food alone your soul cannot live by 
one thing alone," Hishizuka said sagely.

"In other words my soul is weak and undernourished ... just like a nerd's 
body is week and undernourished."

"That's one rather blunt way of putting but yes that's primarily right," 
Hishizuka, answered before noticing Ranma staring at a female and very 
frightened form of himself.

"What part of me does she represent?" Ranma asked while looking as it he 
already knew the answer.

Hishizuka's only reply to this was to say nothing as she looked at Ranma.

"I don't think I can do this quite yet," Ranma's said rather shakily.

"Then don't but don't avoid it either," Hishizuka answered.

Ranma's only reply to this was to nod as he watched the timid female 
version of himself runaway.

[Fun]

As Ranma awoke, he yawed loudly and looked around to find Akane sleeping 
next to him. Smiling at this and at how Akane had insisted he stay with her 
in her room, Ranma decided to get up and leave. After Ranma had left Akane 
thought, 'I wonder how long I should wait. Mhh knowing our fathers I can 
wait till after our wedding,' before getting up and following Ranma.

*************

As Ranma into the tearoom, he found Hishizuka and Soun having breakfast 
alone. Ranma knowing that Kasumi had already gone to Dr. Tofu's office did 
not question her absence or Nabiki's. Then again, Ranma did question the 
absence of his parents. However, he did not get to voice this question as 
Hishizuka said, "I magically rebuild your parents' home and your mother 
insisted that she and Genma stop imposing on this household."

"I tried to tell your mother that it was no trouble but you know how 
persuasive she can be," Soun added rather sadly as Ranma sat down at his 
usual place.

"Knowing Genma dear he'll be back," Hishizuka said as she sipped her tea.

"Yeah to eat enough food to feed a large army," Ranko said with a yawn as 
she entered.

"As if you can complain about that," Akane said with a smirk as she entered 
behind Ranko

"Hay I need all that food," Ranko replied defensively.

"What for to feed an army," Akane shot back.

"Akane dear, Genma, Ranma, Ranko and me eat what we do to sustain our 
immense power bases," Hishizuka said sagely before adding, "although Genma 
does eat more than he needs and I'm sure we all know results of that," with 
a mischievous smirk.

"Yeah it's a little hard to miss pops gut," Ranma said with a smirk.

"No argument there Ranma," Akane said as she and Ranko sat down.

After this Ranma, Ranko, and Akane all started eating their breakfast.

***************

After breakfast had been finished, Ranko left the dojo with her two aqua 
Panthers named Kousuihyou and Junsuihyou, which naturally Ranma had not 
seen. 

Akane on the other hand had changed forms and headed off in another 
direction mumbling something about needing to shop for clothing.

In addition, Soun had gone out to drink after Genma dropped by.

Therefore, this is why we find Ranma laying on the roof just above the 
tearoom looking out upon Nerima while thinking about what had happened in 
his mind the previous night. After a few hours of thought, Ranma had come 
to one conclusive thought about himself and that thought was, "I'm a 
martial arts nerd."

Hishizuka who was sitting by the koi pond feeding the koi made the comment 
of, "a most astute observation Ranma," before looking up at the pigtailed 
martial artist and adding, "...and how do you intend on solving the 
problem."

Scratching his head while looking rather confused Ranma asked, "Well what's 
the definition of a nerd?"

"'A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical 
pursuits but is felt to be socially inept' is the common definition but I 
prefer to use the definition, 'A person who is single-mindedly accomplished 
in narrow field of knowledge and/or physical or technical proficiency."

"Whoa that's awfully broad," Ranma commented.

"I know but also remember 'nerds' are not always called nerds," Hishizuka 
said before she turned back to the koi pond as she added, "but the 
definition of a nerd is not what you should be concerned with."

"Yeah you got a point I already know I am a martial arts nerd so I got to 
do something about it but what?" Ranma asked before trailing off in thought 
as he remembered what he had said the previous night, 'my soul is weak and 
undernourished ... just like a nerd's body is week and undernourished'. 
With that thought, remembered Ranma sighed deeply before asking, "So do you 
know of any good soul foods?"

"Music is always a great place to start," Hishizuka stated casually as she 
stood up before adding, "and I think I know what the perfect instrument for 
you will be," as she started to walk through the dojo's parameter wall.

Shrugging his shoulders Ranma just followed the ancient Tendo matriarch 
right through the wall of the dojo.

*************

Somewhere and perhaps, somewhen we find a small shop in the middle of 
nowhere.

Inside the shop, we find an innumerable number of instruments in an equally 
innumerable variety. In addition to this, we also find two craftsmen both 
of whom where masters judging by their age and casual way they crafted the 
instruments in their hands. The first of the craftsmen was a tall and very 
old looking gray haired elfin man in his mid six hundreds that was 
currently working on a violin. The second was a dwarf in his late 300's 
with fiery red-orange hair that was braded heavily and intricately --even 
more so than a normal dwarf's hair. The dwarf's current project was a 
complex and intricate looking magical instrument.

"Hello Madame RelOrt what brings you to my humble shop today," the tall 
Elvin said, as Hishizuka stepped through the doors of the shop closely 
followed by Ranma who started to look around at the innumerable number of 
instruments in the shop.

"Not much I just need to purchase an instrument for my youngest daughter's 
fiancé," Hishizuka answered while Ranma looked at what the dwarfen 
craftsmen was making.

"So where are you from lad?" The dwarf asked casually as he continued to 
work on his project.

"The Nerima ward of city of Tokyo in Japan ... on earth," Ranma answered 
uncertainly while figuring he wasn't on earth anymore. 

"Earth," the elfin craftsmen said as he raised eyebrow.

"Yeah," Ranma said rather defensively.

"Relax lad, Himo and I are just surprised. After all the last time an 
Earther walked through those doors was 200 years ago," the dwarf said in a 
light Scottish accent.

"Oh," Ranma replied rather dryly before looking around and making the 
comment of, "Man it'll take me forever to master all of these."

Hearing this, the elfin craftsmen face-faulted while Hishizuka 
telekinetically saved the unfinished violin from the floor as she rolled 
her eyes' at Ranma's comment.

The dwarfen craftsmen however erupted in laughter as he exclaimed, "lad 
you've got a hell of a lot of gumption!!!"

"Ranma no one expects you to master every instrument there is to play," 
Hishizuka replied as she finished levitating the unfinished violin onto the 
counter.

Scratching his head while looking confused Ranma replied in genuine 
confusion, "they don't?"

Looking rather frustrated Hishizuka just said, "No. Now come over here so 
Himo can measure you for a violin."

Shrugging his shoulders, Ranma did so after which the Elvin craftsmen began 
working on another violin leaving Ranma to step outside the shop along with 
Hishizuka.

"So where are we anyhow?" Ranma asked as he looked at the surrounding 
terrain.

"An isolated off the road spot along the eastern coast of the southern 
continent of Avalon," Hishizuka said simply before adding, "These two have 
been making musical instruments for 200 years."

"Whoa!" Was Ranma's only comment before the two started to wait.

An hour later after watching Ranma perform a wide variety of katas 
Hishizuka said, "Why don't you calm down and relax Ranma."

"I am relaxed," Ranma replied.

Raising an eyebrow Hishizuka responded, "Ranma you're not relaxed even 
without a scan spell I can tell just about every muscle in your body is 
unnecessarily tense."

"...but I am relaxed?" Ranma protested as a question as he realized his 
muscles were unnecessarily tense.

Scratching her chin thoughtfully Hishizuka waved her hand which caused 
Ranma to be constrained by 6 energy rings which scanned up and down 
building of his body which faded quickly enough leaving Hishizuka to shake 
her head before saying, "a major pathway that is involved in everything 
from relaxing to base fun is almost completely blocked in your male form."

"So what am I going to do about it?" Ranma asked while adopting his 
standard confused as all hell pose.

"We'll deal with it after we get back home," Hishizuka said while looking 
distracted.

"You ok?" Ranma asked.

"Yes just thinking about something," Hishizuka replied.

****************

Later that day we find Ranma sitting by the koi pond looking at a violin 
case rather nervously when Hishizuka stepped out side from the tearoom.

"Well shell we proceed?" Hishizuka asked.

Ranma's only response was to nod. Hishizuka's response to this was to cast 
a powerful spell, which caused both to be incased in an energy bubble of 
some sort.

****************

As Ranma and Hishizuka materialized, they found themselves looking at a 
myriad of energy pathways

"Damm what is this place?" Ranma asked.

"A representation of your ki," Hishizuka answered flatly before adding, 
"Now let's find that blocked pathway."

With that, said Ranma and Hishizuka began looking for the blocked pathway, 
which they found as they turned a nearby corner.

"Well that was easy enough to find," Ranma commented sarcastically as he 
noticed that a nearby pathway was being choked off by one other that was 
wrapped around the first in a tight spiral.

"Hmm, no this is not the pathway where looking for. This pathway has been 
blocked by something else and is still being blocked by it and until you 
remove the source of the blockage it will remain that way," Hishizuka said 
as she examined the blocked pathway.

"Hmm, I don't mean to sound stupid here but if we can't remove the blockage 
from here then what are we doing here?" Ranma asked dumbfoundedly.

"We are here to find source of the blockage Ranma. A blockage that is far 
more complex then this one, which only has one source," Hishizuka answered 
as she pointed to the pathway that was choking off another.

"Ok," Ranma said with a nod before the two continued looking for the 
correct pathway

***************

Meanwhile on the other side of Nerima we find Akane-kun picking at his 
lunch when his two long time friends Sayuki and Yuka entered the restaurant 
for their own lunches. Seeing them, Akane-kun only continued picking at his 
food expecting neither of them to recognize him due to his current form.

Yuka however almost immediately identified Akane-kun and responded to that 
identification with a scream before running off. Sayuki however swallowed 
hard as she realized who she was looking at. After taking a deep breath, 
Sayuki left but only after saying that she was going to go find Yuka.

Akane-kun responded to this by shedding a silent tear before finishing his 
lunch and leaving the restaurant in the same direction Sayuki and Yuka had 
run off in. Akane-kun found his two long time friends under one of the 
numerous drainage canals in Nerima only a scant few minutes later.

"Gods Sayuki what did she do to deserve that?" Yuka cried as her friend 
tried to comfort her.

"I don't know Yuka," Sayuki answered.

It was at this time Akane-kun chose to speak as he sat down on the grass 
embankment, "I'll take awhile to explain so why don't you two go and eat 
first and then come back."

Akane-kun's two long time friends only responded by nodding nervously 
before leaving.

***************

Meanwhile we find Ranma and Hishizuka staring at a pathway that was tied up 
by at least 20 other pathways.

After scanning the pathway Hishizuka said, "This is the one. Now we have to 
see what's blocking it," before creating 20 energy spheres which all 
rocketed all tracing one of the pathways.

"What will those things do?" Ranma asked.

"If the pathway that is blocking this one is merely clogged or pinched 
collaterally by another pathway it will hold open the pathway until it can 
heal itself. That should be enough to allow the blockage here to clear."

"...and what if the other pathway is blocked by yet another one?" Ranma 
asked after a moment thought.

"Then the sphere will return and guide us back to where the blockage is and 
then we will find out what is causing that blockage," Hishizuka responded.

A rather dry oh was Ranma's only reply.

*****************

Meanwhile back at the drainage canal we find Akane-kun absently throwing 
pebbles into the water when he heard Yuka and Sayuki returning. After the 
two at sat down Akane-kun sighed and began explaining the events of the 
past few days.

*****************

Back with Hishizuka and Ranma, however we find 18 of the blocking pathways 
had already disentangled themselves and stop blocking the main pathway.

"So how many of my other pathways you think are blocked like these?" Ranma 
asked curiously.

"87.5 percent," Hishizuka answered flatly.

Ranma's response to this was to look horrified.

"Ranma considering the condition you're in and the condition you were in 
you should be thankful you only have that much collateral blockage and 
after you clear up all of your other major blockages. I can cast a spell 
that well allow any ones that are collaterally blocked to heal themselves 
and to answer your next question I cannot tell you how close you are," 
Hishizuka explained just as another pathway cleared at the same time one of 
the energy spheres returned.

"Well it looks like it's time to find the source of this blockage," Ranma 
said before the two started following the sphere.

*****************

"...and that's all that's happened," Akane-kun finished three hours after 
he had started.

Sayuki and Yuka's only response to this was to continue the jaw drop they 
had developed when Akane-kun first told them his mother was back from 
beyond the grave. Akane-kun response to this was a classic anima sigh 
before he closed both of his friends' jaws. After which both of them walked 
off in a daze. Rolling his eyes Akane-kun just decided to return home.

*****************

Meanwhile Ranma and Hishizuka have found the source of the blockage, which 
was something neither of them expected to find.

"What the hell is that?" Ranma asked as he pointed to a shadow that was 
being cast over a large section of his pathways.

"Hmm I most certainly wasn't expecting this ...but it does explain why the 
primary pathway is more blocked when you're in male form," Hishizuka said 
as she examined the shadow in a way Ranma couldn't phantom.

"Hun?" Was Ranma's only reply before Hishizuka dispelled the energy bubble 
they were in.

"It appears that particular pathway is blocked by very small blood clot in 
your brain," Hishizuka stated rather casually.

"Oh man you're joking right," Ranma said while looking thoroughly spooked. 

"no and don't worry too much about it Ranma it hasn't done any damage 
whatsoever in fact considering how much you hit it over the head I'm 
surprised it hasn't been dislodged already. Now hold still while I locate 
its exact position inside that thick skull of yours," Hishizuka said before 
using a very deep scanning spell on Ranma. "Hmm it's right there an inch or 
so into your head," Hishizuka said after finishing her spell.

"So how bad is it?" Ranma asked nervously.

"It's big enough that it causes reduced blood flow to your sexual arousal 
center which is the reason you don't salivate over every woman you see. 
*pats Ranma on the head* However considering you are one 1/2 the time and 
your incredible control you probably won't even notice the effects of 
removing clot will cause," Hishizuka said with a Kasumi like laugh while 
mentally adding, 'That is until you get into bed with Akane tonight.'

"So how are you going to remove it brain surgery," Ranma asked.

"Not exactly," Hishizuka said before her hand blurred and became 
transparent. After which the ancient Tendo matriarch passed that hand right 
through Ranma's head grabbing something along the way.

Even before Hishizuka said anything Ranma could feel a sudden surge in 
sexual arousal however - and as Hishizuka had his predicted-Ranma repressed 
the unwanted feeling before walking off while wondering why it suddenly got 
so hot.

Hishizuka who was still standing by the koi pond opened her hand to reveal 
not a blood clot but a small crystal shard which judging by how much it was 
covered with biological debris had been in Ranma's mind since he was age 13. 
'What ever this is it was specifically designed to cap Ranma's sexual 
desires by both physical and magical means unless those desires came from 
Akane but Ranma didn't know Akane when he was 13. So how world was this 
thing calibrated for her and put in Ranma's head,' Hishizuka thought before 
realizing the obvious answer and teleporting away, which caused the koi 
pond to stop boiling over.

30 or so minutes later Akane-kun entered the dojo to find the koi pond 
still steaming. Akane-kun's to response to this was to shrug his shoulders 
and enter the tearoom where he found Ranma peacefully taking a nap. Akane-
kun's reply to this was to smile before walking off to his room.

Ten or so minutes later Hishizuka reappeared in front of the koi pond on 
with a satisfied grin on her face before sitting down by Ranma and 
awakening him.

"It's time I show you how to use this," Hishizuka said as she handed Ranma 
his violin.

With a small yawn Ranma nodded before popping, open the case.

"Ok, Ranma, the first thing you have to know about this instrument is how 
to hold it..." was Hishizuka's starting point of teaching Ranma how to play 
the violin.

****************

Meanwhile up and Akane's room we find Akane-kun laying on his bed absently 
thinking of his day when he fell asleep.

[Feminity]

Ranma Saotome stared out at toward the koi pond of the Tendo dojo looking 
at the three beautiful children that were playing there under the close 
observation of a brown hair man and a woman with bright blue hair when an 
aged looking Soun Tendo entered.

"so how you doing today Ranma," Soun said as his weathered face showed a 
smile at the site of the children by the koi pond before the view and back 
to reveal Ranma was in his female form.

"Fine I suppose ... the morning sickness has purtty much gone away ... so 
how's pop doing," Ranma said as she lightly caressed her stomach.

"He, as with last time refuses to even come over ... your mother however 
will be here later."

"Good at least she's accepted this."

"I know Ranma and your father still won't even get close to Ranko," Soun 
said as he placed a reassuring hand on Ranma shoulder. "...and I must say 
she's growing up to be just like her mother," Soun added as he looked 
towards the woman with long blue hair. "Ranma my boy I hope you and Akane 
live as long as my wife because you both have so much to teach the world."

"I know," Ranma said as she smiled at the brown haired man before sitting 
down. "I still remember the day Ranko was born."

"I dout you could forget Ranma," Nabiki said as she entered. "After all 
you're her mother."

"I know Nabiki. so how is Kino doing."

"Running around trying to imitate his father's signature attack but he's 
still too small to pick up a bokutou," Nabiki replied as she sat down while 
looking out a brown haired man. "Sis has gone into father mode again hasn't 
she."

"Yeah he sure has," Ranma replied before a young girl of about 6 years old 
ran by almost flattening Soun. "RANKO how many times have I told you no 
flattening your grandfather."

"Hai mother," the blue haired girl with a pigtail said before running off 
towards the training hall.

"I wonder why she never listens to me," Akane-kun said as he entered to 
which the 4-year-old boy that perched upon his head replied.

"Because you're her daddy mommy." 

The only reply Akane-kun gave to this was to look at Ranma who just 
shrugged her shoulders.

"..." was all a girl of around two said as she looked at Ranma while 
holding onto the blue haired woman's hand while using other hand to feel 
Ranma's stomach.

"Yes I know its confusing dear but."

"...what mommy mean I just want to know if brother or sister in their," the 
two-year-old girl asked innocently.

"Why don't you take your sister to her room?" Akane-kun said as he picked 
up the boy that was on his head.

"Ok mommy," the boy replied before leading his sister away.

"So how are you doing dear?" the blue haired woman's asked as she kissed 
Soun on the cheek.

"Fine my dear Hishizuka," Soun replied with a smile.

"You know it was it was on a day like this that we found out about Ranko," 
Hishizuka said as she looked out toward the koi pond.

******************

Ranma-chan let out a small scream as she bolted upright in sheer panic from 
the dream she just had. Looking around the room, she found Akane-kun 
sleeping next to her.

Hyperventilating a small bit Ranma-chan decided to leave the room.

"Are you okay Ranma?" Hishizuka asked as Ranma-chan sat down in the tearoom.

Ranma-chan still shaken by her dream only shook her head.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Hishizuka asked.

"I'm not sure," Ranma-chan replied before telling Hishizuka about her dream.

"...and I'm assuming this has disturbed you quite a bit?" Hishizuka said 
after Ranma and finished.

Ranma-chan's only reply was a nod.

"Why exactly?" Hishizuka asked.

"I...I..." Ranma-chan stuttered while knowing the answer she had just come 
up with made no sense considering she was already supposed to have accepted 
her dual nature.

Hishizuka's response to this was to say, "Ranma it takes time for a person 
to accept something like what has happened to you in full and the dream you 
had obviously shows that you haven't completely accepted your female side 
in full."

"So how do I accept it in full?" Ranma-chan asked in an odd voice.

"There are a few things you can do immediately such as having sex with 
Akane in your current state. In the end however time is the only real thing 
that will allow you to except it in full, but for either of those things to 
happen you have to overcome your fears."

Ranma-chan's only reply to this was a nod before walking off towards the 
training hall.

Taking a sip of her tea Hishizuka said, "You can come out now Akane."

After a short delay, Akane-kun stepped into the tearoom looking very pale.

After looking at her Neo-son for a moment, Hishizuka said, "You didn't know 
did you?"

Akane-kun's reply was to shake his head vigorously.

"What!? Did you honestly think the magic wouldn't be THAT THOROUGH?" 
Hishizuka asked rather coarsely.

Akane-kun's response was to nod his head.

"However, that's not what's really disturbing you, is it?" Hishizuka asked 
rhetorically. Receiving no reply of any sort Hishizuka said, "Men are men 
and women are women but Ranma is both as are you."

"But..." Akane-kun finely managed to get out.

Sounding fairly annoyed Hishizuka said, "Dear, Ranma, is wired to be a 
mother more so then a lot of women."

"But..."

"...and if he never was cursed he would have still wanted to be the father 
of at least three children," Hishizuka added.

"So wanting children is just something that's part of Ranma?"

"Yep as it is part of you," Hishizuka answered.

"Like in Ranma's dream?" 

"That dream will become reality when the time is right dear and that is 
what is frightening both you and Ranma isn't it?" Hishizuka said as she 
noticed Ranma-chan standing just outside the tearoom.

A shaky nod was Akane-kun's only reply.

Hishizuka's reply to this was a good-hearted laugh, "just remember that you 
two will have a secret weapon in parenting."

"What's that?" Akane-kun asked.

With a wink and smile Hishizuka said, "Me," before walking off.

"I wonder what that was supposed to mean," Akane-kun said rather confusedly.

"She's 5035 years old Akane so take a wild guess," Ranma-chan said as she 
reentered the room.

"Oh," was Akane-kun's only reply as he realized that his mother had 
probably had more children than just three in her lifetime.

******************

A moment later in the kitchen Hishizuka sensed Soun behind her and so said, 
"373 children not including ours dear," rather tearfully as she sat down at 
the kitchen table.

After getting over the shock Soun managed to ask, "Are any of them still 
alive?"

"Only three are immortal like I am. VasPor, Denki, and Ryouko are their 
names. VasPor is a wanderer and my oldest son. Denki is a villain to 
adventures as is his younger sister Ryouko," Hishizuka explained.

"A villain?" Soun asked with a raised eyebrow.

"That'll take me about two days to explain that so don't ask love," 
Hishizuka said.

"So what is a wanderer?" Soun asked.

"A wanderer is someone that cannot find their place in the world or anyone 
to be with. I myself have been a wanderer at times, as has every immortal 
that doesn't have someone to live their life with," Hishizuka answered 
sadly.

"Another immortal?"

"That's what every immortal searches for but most never find another 
immortal that is suitable to spend the rest of eternity with."

"Are any of our children immortal?" Soun asked rather shakily.

"Yes Akane is but fortunately for her so is Ranma."

"So how long do immortal marriages last?" Soun asked with a morbid 
curiosity.

"Well my mother and father have been married for over 10,000 years. So that 
should give you a rough estimate of how long they last love," Hishizuka 
answered rather wryly before she started to work on making breakfast.

Soun's reaction to this was to simply stare at a convenient wall as his jaw 
dangled in the wind.

*********************

In the tearoom, we find Ranma-chan laying on the couch when Nodoka entered.

"Ranma where is your sister?" Nodoka asked Ranma-chan.

"Hmm I think she's still asleep mom," Ranma-chan answered.

"I'll go wake her up," Nodoka said before walking off to get Ranko who she 
found sleeping in Ranma's old room. 'If she's anything like the rest of my 
family a bucket of water is the only thing that's going to get her up,' 
Nodoka thought to herself before picking up a conveniently placed bucket of 
water and throwing it on Ranko with predictable results.

"What did you do that for!!" Ranko explained

"The same reason I throw a bucket of water on Ranma every morning to get 
him up," Nodoka replied before adding, " now after breakfast we have to 
register you for school and among other things."

"Ok," Ranko said with a yawn before she headed out of the room after 
collecting her usual outfit.

**************

Later after breakfast, we find Ranma-chan --who was wearing her red Chinese 
shirt and black drawstring pants instead of her generic female outfit, 
Nodoka, and Ranko walking along the street in the direction of Furinkan 
high. 

"So are you going to join clubs Ranko?" Nodoka asked.

"I was thinking about the swim team," Ranko said with a malevolent grin.

"And why's that little sister?" Ranma-chan asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ranko's only reply to this was to literally become water, which then began 
to swirl around the two in intricate patterns neither Ranma or Nodoka could 
describe. A moment later, the water stop showing off and became Ranko once 
again.

"Answer enough brother," Ranko replied with a smirk.

"Now now, Ranko, if you do that you'll be cheating," Nodoka scolded.

"Ok I won't use my aqua form," Ranko said while sounding a bit disappointed.

"Good now let's get on to Furinkan," Nodoka said before the three continued 
on their way.

15 minutes later as the three walked through the gates of Furinkan high 
they were greeted with many confused stares from the gathered faculty 
members that were preparing the school for the students return from summer 
vacation.

Looking around for principal Kunou and Ms. Hinako Ranma-chan only found the 
vice principal as well as all the rest of teachers and faculty. Ranma's 
reply to this was to raise an eyebrow before the vice principal walked up 
to them. "I assume you have a good explanation for her Mr. Saotome," the 
vice principal asked.

"Do you want the truth or should I just say she's my sister Ranko," Ranma-
chan replied with a smirk.

Pushing up her glasses the vice principal asked, "Is the truth as 
unbelievable as you and your abilities?"

"Pretty much," Ranma-chan replied with her usual coarseness.

"Then I welcome you, Ranko Saotome, and I hope will you will behave a 
little bit better than your brother," the vice principal said before she, 
Ranko when Nodoka walked off.

This left Ranma-chan to absently look around the courtyard of Furinkan at 
the gathered faculty and teachers all of whom had gone back to preparing 
the school. With a shrug of her shoulders hopped up onto the school's 
perimeter wall and began watching the teachers and faculty all of whom 
occasionally gave Ranma-chan a sideways glance. As if, they all expected 
the pigtailed martial artist's presence to bring chaos and extensive 
property damage.

****************

A few minutes later, we find Ranma-chan wondering the halls of Furinkan 
when the cem-lab exploded. The science teacher that happened to be 
following Ranma just pulled a small device out of his pocket and pressed a 
red button, which activated a very advanced and powerful remote control 
fire suppression system.

"You'd think they would figure out that making landmines was a bad idea 
after the first time one blew up on their face," Ranma-chan said.

"Ranma, scientists are like martial artist's we keep trying and trying 
until we get it right even if it blows up in our face. In fact, Alfred 
Nobel blew up his laboratory eight times before he perfected nitroglycerin 
and dynamite. So I can't very well fault the cem-club for their tenacity 
now can I," the science teacher replied before adding, "Although I do wish 
they would follow better procedure that way they didn't blow themselves up 
quite so often."

Ranma-chan's reply to this was a good-hearted laugh as the two continued to 
walk along the hallway never noticing the blackened, burnt, and covered 
with fire retardant foam and gel cem-club members exiting the chemistry lab.

"So why are you following me anyhow?" Ranma-chan asked the science teacher 
a few minutes later.

"Easy I drew the short straw," the science teacher replied.

"Ahh," Ranma-chan replied before a certain voodoo priest was seen in a 
nearby room fixing a camera.

"So what are you planning on doing with your life Ranma? I know that you 
will be running the dojo but 90 percent of what you do you probably won't 
be teaching there."

Coming to a dead stop Ranma-chan said, "I hadn't really thought of it 
really. My life as literally been nothing but martial arts till just 
recently and the job of every martial arts master is to pass down their 
knowledge. I know that I'll be running the dojo with Akane but even Akane 
says she'll be doing something besides the art in the end."

Smiling to himself the science teacher thought, 'at last the boy is growing 
up,' before saying, "come with me Ranma I have something that may help you 
decide what you want to do besides martial arts."

Shrugging her shoulders Ranma-chan only followed.

***************

Meanwhile in another part of the high school we find Ranko absently 
wondering around the pool while Nodoka finished registering her. Watching 
Ranko from nearby were Yuka and Sayuki who were both very nervous 
considering the water in the pool was churning and swirling but yet somehow 
both Yuka and Sayuki knew that the patterns where not intentional.

"That has to be Ranko," Sayuki said as she adjusted her swimsuit top.

"Yeah," was all Yuka could think of saying as the water churned and swirled 
around Ranko for a moment before Ranko noticed Sayuki and Yuka.

Noticing that Yuka and Sayuki were both wearing swimsuits Ranko said, 
"Sorry I didn't know anyone was using the pool," before dismissing her 
water magic.

"Are you Ranko?" Sayuki asked

"Yep," Ranko said with a smile before noticing Yuka and Sayuki were 
extremely nervous. "Why are you two so nervous?"

"Hmm well," Yuka said nervously.

"You are Ranma's sister," Sayuki finished.

"Ahh," Ranko said in understanding before sitting down by the pool.

"So are you really a girl?" Yuka asked.

Ranko's only reply to this was to nod her head.

"So you're more interested in boys then girls right?" Yuka asked.

Ranko who was by this time lounging on a pool chair made of water only 
nodded.

Sayuki however just shook her head at her friend's tactlessness before 
saying, "I'm sorry Ranko but Yuka here has no tact."

"Don't worry about it Sayuki after all it is an understandable question," 
Ranko replied before adding, "although I figure you're both being to 
judgmental of Ranma."

Sayuki's reply to this was a smile while Yuka frowned.

"Well I can't speak for Yuka over here but I personally don't think Ranma 
is a pervert. After all Ranma is, both a man and a woman and should have 
the right to pick to be interested in. Although that doesn't say anything 
about how tactless, clueless, and socially inept he is."

Ranko's only reply to this was to laugh as she nodded her head in agreement.

Yuka on the other hand just fumed and stormed off.

Sighing Sayuki followed Yuka with the obvious intention of dragging her 
friend back to the pool for a 'civil' conversation.

Ranko's only reply to this was to start playing with the pool water again

*****************

"So what is this thing?" Ranma-chan asked.

"It's a test that suggests which careers would suit your personality and 
interest's," the science teacher replied before adding, "and when doing 
this test it's important to remember to be absolutely truthful with your 
self."

"Ok," Ranma-chan said with a nod before pocketing the test and walking off 
only to encounter Hiroshi and Daisuke a few moments later. Ranma-chan not 
wanting to deal with the two just ducked behind a nearby corner to avoid 
the two only to encounter Yuka and Sayuki who were arguing. However, upon 
seeing Ranma-chan, Yuka ran off.

"What was that about?" Ranma-chan asked.

Sayuki shocked by Ranma-chan's hight gain took a moment to answer, "She 
seems to have gotten into her head that you and your sister are the same 
person even though you're obviously two different people," before walking 
off to find her friend.

"Weird," Ranma-chan said aloud before walking off to find her mother.

*****************

"Let me guess you didn't find her," Ranko said dryly as Sayuki walked into 
view.

"I'll come by the dojo later with her okay," Sayuki responded.

"Ok," Ranko responded before Ranma-chan and Nodoka walked into view 
signaling that it was time to leave.

After the Saotomes, left Sayuki dived into the pool and began swimming laps 
never noticing Yuka watching from the shadows.

*****************

Later we find Akane practicing a kata in the training hall when Ranko 
walked in and told Akane about her encounter with Yuka and Sayuki.

Sighing deeply as she stopped her kata Akane said, "Once Yuka gets an idea 
into her head she will skew the facts to what ever that idea is."

"...And how difficult is it to change her mind about things?" Ranko asked.

"Don't ask me I've never been able to get her to change her mind about 
anything," Akane replied while looking annoyed and extremely exasperated.

'Sounds like Ryouga,' Ranko thought to herself before walking off to her 
room while wondering what Nodoka had wanted with Ranma. 

*****************

Meanwhile in an isolated off the road spot in the park we find Ranma-chan 
and Nodoka had just sat down on the grass.

"So how's pop holding up?" Ranma-chan asked just make conversation.

Smiling devilishly Nodoka's only reply was to say, "Just find dear just 
fine."

Knowing what the smile on her mother's face, meant Ranma-chan smiled as 
well.

"Tell me, how are you faring?" Nodoka asked nervously.

Sighing deeply Ranma-chan told her mother about her dream.

"Oh my!" was the only intelligible thing Nodoka could think of saying after 
Ranma-chan finished before she developed a complete brain freeze.

Ranma-chan's only reply to this was to shake her head and made a mental 
comment along lines of her mother not being used to Nerima yet.

A full hour later Nodoka finely managed to recover and asked very shakily, 
"how do you feel about the dream?"

"I don't really know mom I don't really know," Ranma-chan replied before 
adding, "and it doesn't matter anyhow it'll be at least till Akane gets out 
of college before we think about having kids."

"True very true," Nodoka replied before adding "but you're dodging the 
question."

"Am I mom? No, I don't think so. With both of us, the way we are it's bound 
to happen sooner or later. As to how it makes me feel. Well I know I 
wouldn't mind being a father, so I guess it's not too much of a stretch to 
want to be mother, but right now being either scares the shit out of me."

"That's more than understandable. I know I was terrified when I learned I 
was pregnant with you ... and your father well he was in a brain freeze the 
next week and a half," Nodoka said before noticing Ranma-chan's haunted 
look.

"I've changed so much I don't even know who I am anymore," Ranma-chan 
finely said before feeling her mother squeeze her hand.

"You are Ranma Saotome and no matter how much you change you cannot change 
that so don't let fear tell you that you aren't Ranma Saotome," Nodoka said 
reassuringly.

After a long moment of silence, Ranma-chan looked up at her mother and said 
thank you before leaving with the obvious intention of doing something very 
important.

[Fear]

Looking around at his mental dojo Ranma wondered where his fear was when 
Hishizuka appeared by his side

"What are you still afraid of?"

"Cats, losing myself due to all of the changes I'm making, becoming the 
kind of girl hate and something else something I can't quite put my finger 
on,"

"I can help you with your fear of cats since it has moved beyond being a 
simple fear or even a phobia but the others must handle on your own."

"Do I have to face the others alone?"

"No but I cannot help you," Hishizuka responded.

"Akane, Ranko and my mother," Ranma said.

"Fine but for now we have to deal with the cats," Hishizuka replied before 
a cat out of nowhere, which they began chasing Ranma around.

Approximately, 15 seconds later the chaos in the sky above Ranma's mental 
dojo cascaded down consuming everything it touched as feline sounds of all 
sort echoed with in intensity that thunder could not match. Acting quickly 
Hishizuka created a powerful shield around her and Ranma who was already 
starting to mentally shut down. Hishizuka's response to this was to shock 
Ranma with a small lightning spell, which allowed the pigtail martial 
artist recover enough stand up on his own.

"Gods IS THAT the Neko-ken?" Ranma asked as the chaos below them attacked 
Hishizuka's shield bubble viciously.

"No that is the soul poison the training method caused, the actual 
technique is part of that chaos as is the kernel that creates the poison," 
Hishizuka said calmly as the chaos continued to attack.

"So is the kernel anything like a popcorn kernel?" Ranma asked as the ocean 
the chaos below them continued to attack.

"Yes but it is a bit more than that. This kernel not only produces the 
poison you see but controls and directs it."

"But how?"

"You don't need to know the fine details Ranma. In fact, all you need to 
know is that the kernel produces the poison and directs it, also the kernel 
also needs a power source and a focus to access that power source."

"So basically this kernel thing is the core of the Neko-ken and I'm 
guessing my ki is the power source."

"Yep. Now can you figure out what the focus is?"

"The actual technique," Ranma guessed after a moment thought.

"Yes and it is also the weakest point since it is only attached to the 
kernel."

"So if we destroy it we're basically cutting the jugular," Ranma said 
thoughtfully.

"Yes but if you wish to choose the difficult path there is a way to cut the 
core's power supply without destroying the technique."

"How difficult is this difficult path?" Ranma asked warily before quickly 
adding, "No don't tell me I don't want to know how difficult it is. Just 
tell me what to do."

Smiling wryly Hishizuka said, "First we have to find the jugular Ranma," 
before shouting FLARE which caused a huge orange sphere of energy to appear.

"Fucking hell," Ranma shouted he shielded his eyes.

As the energy sphere faded Ranma saw that it had take out over half of the 
chaos below in a single shot.

Ranma's only intelligible reply to this was to gulp loudly as he adjusted 
his collar.

Looking at the blast crater Hishizuka took only five seconds to find a long 
and extremely thick cable running into the chaos

"I'm guessing that's the power line." Ranma said as he to saw the cable.

"Yep and we have to trace it to both ends one end will have the kernel 
attached to it and the other the will be the Neko-ken."

"So how exactly do we disconnect the two?"

"With a nuke sphere that you're going to shove into the kernel's back 
side," Hishizuka said as she handed Ranma a sphere that illustrated the 
nuclear warning hazard symbol.

"You're joking right?"

"Nope," Hishizuka said with a wry smile.

"So where will you be when I'm shoving this thing up the kernel's ass?"

"Getting ready to cut the power line at the exact time you detonate the 
nuke sphere," Hishizuka said nonchalantly.

"Oh," Ranma replied rather darkly before Hishizuka handed him an amulet and 
an odd-looking suit of armor. This of course raised Ranma's eyebrow.

"What, did you honestly think I was going to let you go out there without 
protection?"

"Yeah," Ranma said as he scratched the back of his head.

Rolling her eyes Hishizuka responded with the words, "just put on the armor 
and amulet."

Ranma's response was to do just that.

"So what does this stuff do for me?"

"The armor is of the strongest type and will absorb just about any kind of 
energy based attack and use the energy from it to heal you and the amulet 
will be the only thing protecting you from the fear generated by the 
kernel," Hishizuka explained as Ranma tucked the amulet inside the armor.

"Well I suppose we should get started." Ranma said uncertainly.

"yep," Hishizuka said before she sped away in her force bubble leaving 
Ranma floating in mid air for just long enough to pull out a sign that read, 
>why do I suddenly feel like that American coyote!!!!!< before plummeting 
down to the ground.

*******************

Moments later Ranma climbed out of a hole that was shaped like himself and 
made the comment of, "wow that armor really works well I barely felt that 
impact," before, he started following the cable towards the chaos at his 
top speed.

30 minutes later Ranma found what the power cable was attached to.

"You have got to be kidding," Ranma muttered as he hid behind a rocky out 
cropping while looking at a black panther that was the size of a t-rex. 
'How in the hell in my going to shove the nuke sphere up its ass when I 
won't even be able to get close to it without being batted around like a 
mouse,' Ranma thought darkly as he watched the cat prowling around.

What happened next surprised Ranma as a crystal panel appeared in midair 
with the image of Hishizuka in it "by away that armor will protect you 
against the nuke sphere even if you're right next to it when it goes off." 

With that said, the crystal panel vanished leaving Ranma with a disgusting 
but effective thought on how to destroy the beast.

"I don't like this idea but I don't see any other way of killing that 
thing," Ranma said with an extremely sharp and dark tone to his voice.

With that, said Ranma charged the panther who roared at Ranma like a lion. 
Ranma's response to this was to literally jump inside the panther's mouth 
and ram himself right down the monstrous cat's throat, which caused the 
monster to swallow him whole.

"Say Hello, TO MY LITTLE FRIEND, Kitty," Ranma said after landing in the 
creature's stomach.

With that said Ranma took out the nuke sphere and activated it.

*****************

Meanwhile in another part Ranma's mind Hishizuka just smiled rather 
crookedly as she saw Ranma activate the nuke sphere from inside of the 
creature's stomach.

"Now that's going to give that cat some major indigestion," Hishizuka said 
as she saw the mushroom cloud appear on the horizon while also cutting the 
power line with a single swift swipe from a Claymore type long sword.

Around an hour later Ranma walked into view looking rather blackened and 
bruised, "I thought you said this armor would protect me against the 
blast."

"It did after all you're still alive and walking around aren't you," 
Hishizuka responded with a Nabiki like smile.

Ranma's only response to Hishizuka's statement and smile was a dirty glare. 
Hishizuka however responded by using a powerful curative spell on Ranma.

"Now since we have disposed of the kernel we should really go store this 
technique in your knowledge base," Hishizuka said as she pointed to a large 
box that was behind her.

******************

"So now what?" Ranma asked as the librarian version of himself tried to 
hull away the box that contained the Neko-ken technique.

"Back to the real world so you can tell Akane, Ranko, and your mother what 
kind of help you need from them."

"...but what about the soul poison?"

"Don't worry Ranma, now that the kernel of the Neko-ken fear has been 
destroyed your mind and spirit will be able to clean the poison up within a 
day."

"Ok..." Ranma said before trailing off.

"Go on when you need them they will be there," Hishizuka said before 
vanishing.

"The first will be my fear of becoming the kind of girl I hate," Ranma-chan 
said before vanishing as well.

*********************

A scant, five minutes later Hishizuka had explained the situation to Akane, 
Ranko, and Nodoka.

"So what do we do?" Akane asked.

"Wait until you are needed and you'll be there to help," Hishizuka said 
before Soun piped up.

"I wish to help as well my love," Soun said as he stopped smoking his pipe.

"Why daddy?" Akane asked

"Let's just say I have a hunch that I'll be needed, Akane, and leave it at 
that for the moment," Soun explained.

"Then so be it," Hishizuka said before snapping her fingers.

*********************

"..." was all Ranma-chan could think of saying considering she was too 
confused by what she saw before her.

What Ranma-chan saw before her as she walked through a hallway were glass 
windows. each of which opened into a room where a version of herself was 
doing something that displayed one of the many female personality traits 
Ranma-chan had seen the women around her display.

Scratching the back of her head Ranma-chan said, "Ok I'm totally clueless 
on what to do."

"...and frankly I am to," Soun answered as he walked up.

"What are you doing hear?" Ranma-chan asked somewhat angrily.

"I asked to help as well Ranma," Soun answered.

"Why?" Ranma asked suspiciously.

"I ... well to tell you the truth Ranma I wanted do something to make up 
for everything I've done," Soun explained rather remorsefully before adding, 
"and I thought we could also take this opportunity to get to know each 
other a bit better. After all it has been a year and you hardly know 
anything about me."

Ranma-chan's reply to this was to raise her eyebrow before starting to walk 
along.

"So what are you supposed to be doing hear?" Soun asked soon after a moment.

"Confronting my fear of becoming the kind of girl I hate," Ranma-chan said 
flatly.

Soun's response to this was a quiet nod before asking, "So do you know what 
kind of man you would hate to be?"

"Hun what's that got to do with this," Was Ranma-chan's only reply.

"Well they can't go against each other Ranma it's just not right."

"I guess you do have a point there," Ranma-chan said as she pulled on her 
pigtail.

"So do you know what kind of man you would hate to be?" Soun asked again.

"Well not like pop that's for certain," Ranma-chan said with a snort.

Shaking his head Soun said, "Don't be too hard on your father Ranma he's 
been through his own kind of hell."

"How can you say that after he erased my memory!!!!!" Ranma-chan screamed.

"Do you remember why and when your father erased your memories?" Soun asked.

Ranma-chan's only reply to this was to concentrate on the memory Soun had 
asked him about however in the end Ranma-chan could not remember the exact 
time and place.

"Hishizuka dear if you're watching please help us find out when he did it."

With that asked, a large crystal panel appeared out of nowhere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I hope this works to erase the boy's memories of the Neko-ken training," 
Genma said as he looked at a scroll while a young sleeping Ranma slept near 
by obviously having a nightmare.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I recognize that scroll it was one of the ones me and Genma stole from 
Happosai after we sealed him away."

"Well that explains were pop got the technique and the Neko-ken definitely 
explains why he used it. Not that what he did was excusable," a very pale 
face Ranma-chan said as she sat down on a convenient bench.

"I know but I can understand why your father did it without hesitation," 
Soun said sadly, as he sat down.

"...And why's that."

Wetting his lips Soun said "Ranma you may think your father is one of the 
worst to walk the earth but compared to his father Genma is a noble 
samurai."

"Damm what kind of bastard was my grandfather," Ranma-chan said while 
looking absolutely mortified.

"He was going to kill Genma because we knocked over his sword case and 
before you ask he was serious. I'm sure you know of the scar Genma has down 
his back. Well he received that scar protecting me from his father who was 
wielding a katana. When Genma's mother saw this, she took less than a 
second to slash your grandfather three times with another katana; First 
from his left shoulder to his right hip, second right across his neck and 
third right across his chest. All three blows cut right through him. She 
was so shocked by what she did she just drove the blade right through her 
heart. After that Genma ran and I didn't see him again until I was 16," was 
Soun's sad and extremely morbid tale.

"Gods!!!" Ranma-chan muttered while looking way beyond shocked.

Taking a deep breath Soun continued, "I remember the day he showed up. 
Naturally, I asked him what he had been doing to survive for the past ten 
years. He had to join a thief's guild a very old thief's guild but before 
that he had to scrounge for food and clothing anywhere he could find it."

"So why did he come back?" Ranma-chan asked warily.

"Happosai," Soun said completely flatly before continuing, "The next four 
years were the four longest years my life Ranma. It was just after I turned 
21 that I met Hishizuka. Happosai was always terrified of her. Hi-chan 
learned of our plan to seal Happosai away and I've always been sure she 
made it possible and now since I know whom she really is I know she was the 
one that made it possible. Shortly after we sealed Happosai away, Genma 
vanished however not before we both pilfered his secret stash of scrolls. A 
few years later I was invited to his wedding and the rest as they say is 
history."

"So basically pop isn't as bad as he could be considering what he went 
through still doesn't mean I'm not mad him for taking the away from my mom 
and all of the other shit he's done," Ranma-chan said without the usual 
anger directed at her father.

Taking a deep breath Soun asked, "Tell me how old were you when he took you 
away?"

"6," Ranma responded flatly, to which Soun only nodded sadly as a reply.

"Well that explains it."

"Explains what," Ranma-chan asked with a raised eyebrow.

"His sixth birthday was when it happened," Soun said sadly.

Her stomach twisting in knots Ranma-chan said, "No wonder why pop hates 
celebrating birthdays," before realizing something quite morbid. "Kami he 
actually thinks that mom..." Ranma-chan said before being interrupted by 
Soun.

"You have to understand Genma knows less about women then Kunou does."

"Yesh I knew pop was clueless about women but never THAT clueless," Ranma-
chan exclaimed after relocating her jaw.

"What will be, will be, Ranma, and we really should be getting on with what 
were supposed to be doing here."

"Yeah but first I got to do like you said and figure out what kind of guy I 
would hate to be." Ranma-chan said before everything around Soun and Ranma-
chan faded away.

When Ranma and Soun reappeared, they found themselves in a similar place to 
where they just were. However, in this hallway behind each glass window 
there was a version of Ranma doing something that displayed one of the many 
male personality traits Ranma had seen the men around him display.

"I still don't know what to do," Ranma said while looking confused.

"Maybe you're supposed to choose what you want and what you don't want," 
Soun said thoughtfully.

"Well I know what I don't want," Ranma said as he watched one of the 
versions of himself runaway from his problems, before adding, "However I 
don't know what I do want."

"Then eliminate what you don't first and what you're left with will be what 
you do want and what you can't decide on."

"Well then I suppose I should get to work," Ranma said before walking off 
to do just that

Ranma's first target was to hit the red button next to the window that 
showed the version of himself running away from his problems.

The result of this was the floor of the room opening up to reveal a 
gigantic garbage compactor, which promptly went to work disposing of the 
garbage it had just been given.

*************

"Mom how many times have you gone inside of Ranma's head?" Akane asked 
nervously as she entered the kitchen were her mother was looking over an 
ancient looking book.

Hishizuka's only response to this was to smile rather crookedly as various 
cooking items began floating around the room.

"Isn't once enough Akane," Hishizuka finely said.

Fuming at her mother's actions Akane stormed out of the room.

"She really needs to learn how take it easy," Hishizuka added as a mixing 
bowl floated by mixing ingredients.

**************

Later back in Ranma's mind we find Ranma looking around looking rather 
confused.

"I can't be certain on any others," Ranma finely admitted.

"Then you should move on," Soun stated flatly.

"Agreed," Ranma said before transforming and will herself back to where she 
started.

**************

When Soun reappeared however he found himself back in his bedroom.

"I hope I helped him enough," Soun said absently before getting up and 
walking into the kitchen where he found a myriad of things floating around. 
His reply to this was to shrug his shoulders and ask his wife what was for 
breakfast.

"It's a surprise dear," Hishizuka, answered from behind an ancient looking 
book.

"Ok," Soun said before leaving the kitchen.

***************

"Where am I?" Nodoka as no one in particular as she found herself in a 
hallway were glass windows. Each of which opened into a room where a 
version of Ranma-chan was doing something that displayed one of the many 
female personality traits Ranma-chan had seen the women around her display.

"A piece of my mind mom," Ranma-chan answered as she looked into a nearby 
window, which illustrated her nursing a newborn child with peach fuss 
indigo blue hair.

"Where exactly in your mind are we?" Nodoka asked curiously as she watched 
another version of Ranma-chan pound Akane-kun on his head with a mallet for 
saying something stupid.

"It's sort of a place I make decisions about myself ... here it 
specifically what kind of girl I want to be."

"So what do you do if you don't like what you see?" Nodoka asked.

Ranma-chan's answer was to walk over to the window that was illustrating a 
Ranma-chan that was doing in imitation of Azusa and press the red button. 

"Gruesome but effective," Nodoka commented as her face turned slightly 
green. 

A moment later, however Nodoka noticed that Ranma-chan was looking at one 
of the empty rooms with a rather quizzical glare.

"What's wrong Ranma?"

Ranma-chan was looking at the nameplate just below the room's window said, 
"I disposed of one that was called the same thing as this one over in my 
guy half just a few minutes ago."

"What's the problem then? If you didn't want to do that when you're male 
then it wouldn't make any more sense for you to do it when you're female. 
However I'm sure that there are some things that are here that are not over 
there and vice versa."

Scratching her head absently Ranma-chan finely said, "oh I guess that makes 
sense."

After recovering from a facefault Nodoka asked, "So what exactly don't you 
like about being a woman?"

"So far mega stupid cuteness and everything that's both here and on my guy 
side that I gotten rid of," Ranma-chan answered as she started to look 
around.

"What about this?" Nodoka asked as she pointed to the version of Ranma-chan 
that was breast-feeding her child.

Shrugging her shoulders as she continued along Ranma-chan replied, "What 
about it? Like I told you before with me and Akane the way we are, it's 
going to happen sooner or later it's just a matter of time."

Nodoka's response to this was to look at Ranma-chan with a 'YOU HAVE GOT TO 
BE KIDDING ME LOOK' before thinking, 'How can Ranma be so casual about it? 
It must be because he's a man.'

With that thought, Nodoka started to follow her neo-daughter who 
occasionally stopped at one of the windows however about the later Nodoka 
noticed Ranma-chan was having no success and making any kind of decision of 
any sort.

"What's bugging you about all of this?"

"I don't know ... but there are an awful lot of things that have already 
been disposed of on my other half. In fact, there's just about nothing 
around here that I am certain that I want to get rid of. Either because I 
didn't know if I wanted to get rid of on my other side or because I don't 
know about this girl thing to really make a judgment about it."

"I guess this means they're really aren't that all many differences between 
the sexes," Nodoka said thoughtfully.

"Yep but I'm worrying about the things that are unique to this side right 
now," Ranma-chan said while sounding annoyed.

"Maybe only time will really tell you after all you've already shown me 
that certain things are not unique," Nodoka said.

At this point Ranma-chan snorted while looking thoroughly dissatisfied, "so 
basically what you're telling me is I'm going to have to wait to find out 
everything about myself."

"Most people never find out who they are Ranma and you should really be 
patient about something like this after all what if you dumped something in 
that compactor that you really shouldn't have."

"I guess you do have point there," Ranma-chan admitted while wondering 
exactly where the compactor dumped its load before noticing a door that was 
labeled compactor service access.

Ranma-chan's reply to this was to open the door and walk into the room 
where she found her compacted and discarded personality traits stacked and 
labeled neatly in a corner while a cartoon sized set of bellows sat in a 
nearby corner. Seeing this Ranma-chan made the comment of, "I really 
shouldn't have watched that American cartoon marathon last week," before 
noticing a large incinerator that was labeled permanent personality trait 
disposal unit.

"Well it looks like you can recover anything you disposed of," Nodoka said 
while wondering what the bellows in the corner were for.

"Yep ... and since I can't think of anything more I want to dispose of I 
guess I'll move on," Ranma-chan said before everything around her faded 
away.

****************

When Ranma-chan reappeared, she found herself looking at the dojo's front 
gate. Curiously, Ranma-chan entered the dojo to find herself in the memory 
of the first day she arrived at the dojo.

"Well this is certainly interesting brother ... but why are we here?" Ranko 
commented as she walked up.

"I'm guessing this has something to do with my fear of losing myself do to 
all the changes I'm making."

"Well then I guess I'd better get some popcorn because reviewing the events 
the past year is going to take a long while," Ranko commented.

"You do have a point," Ranma-chan said while sounding rather exasperated.

****************

Meanwhile back in the tearoom we find Akane fuming.

"Don't worry about it Akane dear when Ranma needs you, you will be there," 
Soun said reassuringly.

"...but when well that be?"

"Patience Akane-chan," Nodoka said as she entered.

Akane's reply to this was to get up start pacing around.

Nodoka and Soun's only reply to this was to sigh.

****************

About three hours later back in Ranma's mind we find the pigtailed martial 
artist looking thoroughly disgusted with his behavior over the past year.

"Maybe just maybe I shouldn't be worrying about changing myself," Ranma 
finely said.

"Ahh, the baka the sees the light!" Ranko exclaimed earning her an 
extremely dirty look from her brother.

"Why I ..." Ranma managed to get out before Ranko jumped up vanished as she 
ran off. "I'll deal with her later but right now to my last fear," Ranma 
said before looking at the memory that which had just finished replaying 
itself.

The memory was of his failed wedding to Akane.

"This is my final fear," Ranma said. "The fear that the next time we try to 
get married she'll be killed by them."

"Ranma that's ridiculous, especially now sense my mom's back," Akane said 
as she walked up to Ranma.

Ranma's only response to this was silence. A moment later however, 
everything shifted and the scene changed to that of visions of the various 
ways Ranma thought and dreamt he would lose Akane. By the time the 
nightmare is had, ended Ranma looked like he was going through the Neko-ken 
times 10 and Akane was holding Ranma as tightly as she could just cried.

'Gods I never knew I ment so much to him. All of the times I didn't trust 
him and all of the jealousy ... Kami-sama what a fool I've been,' Akane 
thought as she started to cry harder while repeating, "I'll never leave you 
Ranma," over and over again.

*****************

Meanwhile in the kitchen Hishizuka who was observing the events in Ranma's 
mind just smiled and said, "Finally they're growing up."

[The other players - Tatewaki Kunou]

Tatewaki Kunou sat alone in the study of the Kunou manner quietly bemoaning 
the fact he had accused Ranma of something as dishonorable as raping his 
own sister. 'What reparation can I ever make for accusing someone of doing 
something so dishonorable,' Kunou thought as he nervously fidgeted with his 
bokutou. "Nothing I can do nothing," Kunou said aloud a moment later before 
walking over to the window where his school bag sat. "Hopefully she will be 
there so I can apologize today," Kunou said after picking his school bag up.

****************

Later that morning we find Kunou waiting for Ranma in his usual locale in 
the courtyard of Furinkan high. Oddly, however the kendoist's mind was not 
on pounding Ranma but on the absence of Nabiki. 'I wonder where Nabiki 
could be it is not like her to be late,' Kunou thought worriedly. 

However, Kunou did not have any time to dwell on this considering Ranma, 
Ranko, and Akane had just walked through the gates of the high school.

"Halt Saotome!" Kunou exclaimed.

Sounding fairly annoyed Ranma said, "what do you want Kunou?"

Grinding his teeth and swallowing all of his pride Kunou stated, "I, 
Tatewaki Kunou, apologize for accusing you of being a user of the dark arts 
and forcing women to have sexual relations with you unwillingly by using 
magic."

That said Kunou stoically walked out of the school and toward his home. 
However, his curiosity and concern drew him to the Tendo dojo.

After Kunou hopped over the wall of the dojo, he found himself by the koi 
pond staring at a beautiful cyan haired woman who was sitting by the koi 
pond cross-legged feeding the koi. A second later, the woman looked up at 
Kunou with a set of piercing emerald green eyes that made Kunou extremely 
nervous for no other reason than their color.

Tightening his grip on his bokutou Kunou said, "I don't believe I caught 
your name the other day ma'am?" With as much confidence as he could muster. 
Kunou however knew whoever was before him could grind him into dust with a 
wave of her hand.

"I am Misses Tendo," Hishizuka said as she returned her attention to the 
koi pond.

"I see. If I may ask were have you been for the past year?"

"On a vacation of sorts," Hishizuka answered.

"I see. May I ask where Nabiki is today?"

"She is sick and may be for some time," Hishizuka replied.

Paling considerably Kunou said, "Will she be okay."

"Of course given time," Hishizuka replied.

"If that is any change please inform me," Kunou said before leaving.

"Hmm," Hishizuka said with a raised eyebrow.

**************

Later that day at lunch, we find Akane, Ranma and Ranko sitting underneath 
one of the school's surviving oak trees while Ranko's two aqua Panthers 
Kousuihyou and Junsuihyou sat nearby when a certain crazy principal walked 
up.

"Now now my little kiki I can excuse your dress but no kiki dies their hair 
in my school," the principles said as he brandished a pair of shears.

At this statement, Ranko started to see red while all of the water from a 
nearby puddle began to swirl around her.

"Kousuihyou and Junsuihyou tear him apart," Ranko growled.

Seeing the two Panthers made of water stand up the principal at the good 
grace to look sheepish before one of the aqua Panthers charged quickly 
followed the other.

"They really won't kill him will they?" Akane asked worriedly.

"No but they will certainly make sure he doesn't try anything that stupid 
again," Ranko said as she sat down.

Ranma's only reply to this was to shake his head before Hiroshi and Daisuke 
walked up.

"If you're thinking about asking me out forget about it," Ranko said 
causing both Hiroshi and Daisuke to walk off defeatedly.

A few meters away in another part of the courtyard, we find Yuka and Sayuki.

"See I told you she was interested girls," Yuka said triumphantly.

Rolling her eyes Sayuki said, "as If any girl in their right mind would be 
interested in those two."

Yuka's only response to this was to blush.

Meanwhile in another part of the schoolyard we find Kunou.

'Hmm, it twas not Ranma that was the user of the magical arts but Ranko. 
Hmm a most interesting development,' Kunou thought as his father ran by 
being attacked by Ranko's two Panthers.

*********************

An Hour or so later we find Kunou sitting on the roof. "I wonder could she 
be the one that has been manipulating everyone to believe Ranma changes 
into a girl. If she is and if she convinced Ranma that he changed into a 
girl or even did so she must be a powerful user of the dark arts or even a 
Succubus," Kunou said aloud before striking a noble pose and starting to 
spout his usual dribble --modified for his current delusion of course-- at 
the top of his lungs.

******************

Meanwhile down in Ms. Hinako's class we find Ranma Akane and the rest of 
the class looking at Ranko who was fuming.

"Excuse me Ms. Hinako," Ranko said as she got up and opened the window 
before using her aqua form to head directly to the roof.

A few moments later, the class saw Kunou sail over the horizon and a second 
later Ranko's aqua from reentered the room and changed back into Ranko who 
then sat back down in her seat.

"I'm sorry for leaving the classroom but I didn't see any other way of 
removing the distraction Kunou was creating," Ranko said politely.

"Well since you were so polite about it Ranko I don't see any problem and 
Ranma you could learn a lot from your sister about having tact," Ms. Hinako 
responded.

Ranma's response to this was to fume as the rest of the class either giggle 
or laughed.

Ranko for her part was extremely embarrassed for embarrassing her brother. 
Akane who was sitting next to Ranko just squeezed the shorter girl shoulder 
and whispered something into her ear.

*******************

Meanwhile in another part of Nerima we find Kunou upside down in a garbage 
can. 'Maybe it twas not wise for me to announce my great plans within the 
range that the vile Succubus can hear me with in. no matter I still will 
rid the earth of the vile creature.'

[The other players - Kodachi Kunou]

"...mhh..." was all Kodachi Kunou said as she relaxed beside the pool of 
her home enjoying the sun. Kodachi's sunning however was interrupted with 
her brother was heard swearing to the heavens about Ranma sister being a 
Succubus. Rolling her eyes at this Kodachi picked up her bathrobe, put it 
on, and headed off to pound her brother into a pasty consistency. Kodachi 
she's stopped short however, as she remembered Ranko from the great panda 
hunt. "hmm, well I doubt she is a Succubus -although that would explain 
Ranma-sama's resistance to the fairer sex- but something tells me she was 
not the girl I fought last year either," Kodachi said thoughtfully before 
deciding she would head to the Tendo dojo after pounding her brother into 
paste.

**********************

Later that day we find Kodachi lounging on a roof near the Tendo dojo with 
a pair of hi powered binoculars just as she opened a bag of potato chips. A 
few minutes later Kodachi saw Ranma, Akane, and Ranko returning to the dojo. 
Seeing this Kodachi picked up a pair of headphones and activated a 
parabolic microphone that was sitting next to her.

~"I'm sorry bro I didn't mean to embarrass you,"~ Ranko was heard saying.

~"Don't worry about it sis."~ Ranma replied before smirking.

"Hmm, she is most definitely not the girl I fought last year," Kodachi, 
thought to herself as she removed her headphones before adding, "she's far 
too polite.". A few seconds later, however she saw that an argument had 
broken out and was thankful she was no longer wearing her headphones 
considering the volume of the argument from the dojo was such she could 
hear the argument with out the aid of a parabolic microphone. "I could be 
wrong however," Kodachi mumbled as she drummed her fingers on her cheek 
before she looked back through her binoculars and sighed as she watched 
Ranko and Akane chase Ranma around yelling about Ranma stupid comment about 
them sucking up to Ms. Hinako. However even Kodachi could tell the three 
were playing. Seeing this, a silent tear escaped the gymnast eye before she 
reached into the pocket of the trenchcoat she was wearing and pulling out a 
small bottle of medicine, which she took one dose before looking at the 
bottle. This revealed the bottle contained an experimental medicine that 
was for her mental disease, which was a very rare one indeed. 

"So how long will the study last?" A voice asked from behind Kodachi 
causing the gymnast to whip around and attack whoever was behind her 
reflexively. However, Hishizuka merely dodged the gymnast's ribbon with a 
casual grace not even Ranma could match. Swallowing hard Kodachi realized 
she had just attacked the woman that was probably the mother of Akane Tendo.

"Three more months however the medicine is already starting to lose it's 
potency," Kodachi replied after she was sure misses Tendo was not going to 
harm her.

"I see," Hishizuka said before motioning Kodachi to follow her.

******************

"So what are we doing here?" Kodachi asked as she and Hishizuka arrived at 
an isolated spot in the park.

The only reply that was given was that of Hishizuka turning around as 
lightning arced away from her and after Mrs. Tendo said "this" Kodachi 
thought for certain she was the dead woman considering a lightning bolt was 
heading straight for her.

*****************

That night Kodachi awoke in a cold sweat gasping for air. Looking around 
she found that she was in her room and not dead. She also noticed that she 
smelled of burnt rubber and ozone. However as she looked around her room 
Kodachi found she had a clarity of mind she had not had since she was six 
years old. "The insanity is gone," Kodachi finely said before wondering 
what she should do. However as she got up to take a bath a moment later she 
found that every muscle in her body was painfully sore and so just decided 
to collapse back down on her bed and get some sleep.

[The other players - Shampoo]

'I've lost,' Shampoo thought to herself as she watched the sun set from the 
roof of the cat café before hearing someone behind her.

"It's time to go great granddaughter," Cologne stated flatly.

"Shampoo knows but no want to leave," shampoo responded sadly.

"At the moment you don't have any other choice you're to young to become a 
wondering Amazon and will be until you turn 20," Cologne responded. 

Shampoo's only reply to this was to sigh deeply before going to her room to 
pack. Cologne however, wondered where Mousse was and had been since the 
events of 'the great panda hunt' as Shampoo had dubbed it.

[The other players - Mousse]

Somewhere else in Japan, we find mousse looking over a picture of his 
parents.

"I wonder what my father will be like," Mousse mumbled to himself as he 
remembered the night his father had left the Amazon Village to return home 
to Japan.

[Awakenings]

"Damn," Nabiki said as she hid from another memory wraith. After the beast 
was long gone, Nabiki curled up in a fetal position and began crying. 'I 
never knew he was so tortured and I've only added to those damn wraiths,' 
Nabiki thought as she continued to cry before 20 memory wraiths and a 
hundred or so tortured memory spirits and untold thousands of fear zombies 
burst through the wall. Seeing this Nabiki screamed, "SOMEONE HELP 
ME!!!!!!!!!!!!" 

********************

Meanwhile in the tearoom we find Ranma has just dropped his chopsticks.

"Ranma are you okay," Ranko and Akane, asked in concern.

"He just heard Nabiki scream for help," Hishizuka said as she put down her 
chopsticks before adding, "empathically."

"...and I'm guessing your going to go help her right away," Akane asked 
while already knowing the answer.

Ranma's only reply was a nod, before he and Hishizuka left the table.

********************

"AhhhhKKKKKK!!!!!!!" Nabiki screamed before hearing the familiar shout of 
'Moko Takabisha', which caused several zombies to bite the dust. After that, 
Nabiki found herself flying through the air underneath Ranma's arm, which 
was covered in armor.

"Hold on nabs," Ranma said after landing before he throwing something round 
that was black and yellow over his shoulder.

As the object reached it's apex Nabiki noticed that yellow and black sphere 
illustrated the nuclear hazard symbol just before Ranma throwing a heavy 
metal blanket over her. "FUCKING HELLLLLL!!!" Nabiki screamed as the nuke 
sphere exploded.

******************

"I thought you never cursed Nabiki," Ranma said as he helped Nabiki out 
from underneath the protective blanket he had thrown on top of her.

Giving Ranma a dirty look Nabiki said, "even I'll make an exception when 
I'm about to get blown up by a nuclear bomb," as she dusted herself off.

"Ahh," Ranma said as he began to look around.

"So what are you looking at?" Nabiki asked rather indignantly.

"The inside of your mind, what else," Ranma replied with a smirk.

Nabiki for her part wanted to tell Ranma off however she didn't. 

"You ok Nabs?" Ranma asked as he placed a hand on Nabiki's shoulder.

"No Ranma I'm most certainly am not," Nabiki, answered sadly, as she shook 
her head.

"Stay here and I'll clean up the rest of undead horde," Ranma said as he 
handed Nabiki some kind of high-tech blaster along with a bag full of flare 
spheres.

"Ok," Nabiki said quietly before Ranma ran off blasting zombies and various 
other undead creatures.

This left Nabiki to sit alone against a wall that had survived the blast.

"Why did he help me after all I've done to him?" Nabiki asked as she took 
potshots that a few loan zombies.

*******************

Three hours later Ranma returned to find Nabiki still taking potshots at 
zombies.

"Having fun?" Ranma asked.

"Not really. Why, why did you help me after all I've done to you?" Nabiki 
asked before pulling out a flare sphere and chucking it as far as she could. 
The resulting blast took out 40 or so zombies.

Leaning against the wall as he fired off a few of his signature attacks 
Ranma said, "You know me Nabiki always out to help anyone I can."

"Why what's your motive?" Nabiki asked.

"I REALLY hate to see people suffer and I suppose there is an ego bit about 
it especially since I can help people were most can't but ego comes after 
the fact. Beyond that there's my code of honor and my training to always 
help those that can't help themselves for what ever the reason."

"Do you forgive me?" Nabiki asked nervously.

"For selling pictures of me nude and selling info to my other fiancés and 
enemies as well as spying on me yeah for hurting Akane for ruining the 
wedding not yet," Ranma said calmly.

"You knew about everything the whole time didn't you?" Nabiki stated 
rhetorically.

Ranma's only reply was a nod.

"...And yet you let me do it."

"I'm no expert on money Nabiki but I do know me and pop spend a lot of it 
without knowing about it," Ranma replied.

"Would you forgive Ryouga if he stopped sleeping with Akane every night?"

Ranma's only reply to this was a nod.

"Gods Ranma you're naïve," Nabiki muttered.

"What's so naive about wanting to make friends out of enemies? After all it 
is the only real wait to get rid of enemies."

"...And who in the world said that?" Nabiki said rather contemptuously.

"Sun Tzu," Ranma replied with a smirk earning him a glare from Nabiki.

"So did you find out where zombies coming from,"

"Yep," Ranma said with a smirk.

"So what did you do about it," Nabiki asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A little item your mother gave me called the ultima sphere," Ranma said 
with a smirk.

"...And what does the ultima sphere do?"

Nabiki's question was answered when the horizon exploded in a huge blue 
firestorm that came racing at Ranma and Nabiki at a nearly in 
comprehensible speed completely vaporizing any thing that stood in its path. 
However as the blue sphere of energy came within a foot of Ranma it stopped 
fluctuated for a moment and then popped like a soap bubble.

"That's what an ultima sphere does," Ranma replied as he turned around to 
find Nabiki twitching with fear.

"Ranma, remind me never ever to get my mom pissed at me," Nabiki finely 
managed to get out.

"I'd say that's a good idea," Ranma replied before adding, "Now let's get 
out of here," and vanishing.

****************

As Nabiki awoke, she found herself alone in her room. After curling up into 
a tight ball Nabiki began crying quietly. "After what I did to him how 
could he ever forgive me even in part," Nabiki, said quietly a moment later 
before composing herself and heading downstairs. As she entered the tearoom, 
she found Ranma, Akane, Ranko, her mother and father sitting around the tea 
table. Seeing this Nabiki just sat, down and ate dinner quietly and after 
she had finished her meal she returned to her room. However just as she sat 
down on her bed, Nabiki heard somebody knock on her bedroom door.

"Come in," Nabiki said quietly while expecting one of her sister his or her 
mother or father to enter only to have Ranma enter sit down.

"I know you think the world is a rotten place Nabiki but there are people 
in the world that JUST what to help. Just like, there are people that just 
want to hurt and I'm one of the one's that just wants to help.

"How about all the times you've hurt people?" Nabiki asked.

"Have I ever hurt anyone badly enough that they had to spend more than a 
few days in Dr. Tofu's office?" Ranma asked rhetorically.

"Only after some of your worst battles and only with those that really 
stepped over the line giving you no choice in the matter," Nabiki replied 
before asking, "tell me if I had been anyone else but family..."

"I would've pounded them into a pulp Nabiki ... but you are family and I 
also knew what and why you were doing it," Ranma replied before adding; 
"now why don't you cheer up and go extort ten or so thousand yen from 
Kunou," before leaving.

"I don't feel like it," Nabiki said before deciding to get some sleep.